Peshawar Valley Railway Project Planned Through KP and Federal Government Collaboration
The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government has decided to collaborate with the federal government to launch the Peshawar Valley Railway project, a major rail connectivity plan aimed at improving transportation across the province. The proposed railway network will primarily serve the provincial capital and surrounding districts, with the goal of enhancing mobility, boosting economic activity, and strengthening the regional rail system.
According to an official letter sent by the KP chief secretary to the chairman of Pakistan Railways, preliminary feasibility work on the railway project has already begun. The initiative will be implemented in multiple phases, covering several key routes across the Peshawar Valley and nearby regions.
Also Read:
Under the first phase of the project, a 62-kilometre railway line will be developed linking Peshawar, Nowshera, and Jahangir. This section is expected to form the initial backbone of the new rail network and connect major population centres within the valley.
The second phase of the project will expand rail connectivity to additional districts through several planned routes. These include a 65-kilometre railway line between Nowshera, Mardan, and Dargai, a 27-kilometre line connecting Mardan and Charsadda, an 18-kilometre route from Peshawar to Jamrud, and a 60-kilometre section between Kohat and Jand. Together, these corridors are expected to significantly expand railway access across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Officials have also indicated that the provincial government is examining the possibility of operating diesel multiple units and railcars on existing railway infrastructure. This step is intended to quickly improve passenger services while reducing the need for immediate large-scale infrastructure expansion.
KP Secretary for Transport Mohammad Zubair described the initiative as a “game-changer” for the province. Speaking to Geo News, he said the project represents the first time that the provincial and federal governments will jointly work on a railway development project of this scale.
He added that the railway initiative is expected to stimulate railway business and increase revenue generation while also lowering the financial burden on the provincial government related to building and maintaining road infrastructure.
The KP chief secretary further revealed that the collaborative framework for the project was discussed during a meeting between the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa chief minister and officials of Pakistan Railways on December 22, 2025.
Following detailed discussions during the meeting, the chief minister directed that joint technical and planning teams from both the provincial government and Pakistan Railways should work together to determine the most effective way forward for the project.
The proposed framework for cooperation will include prioritising railway development projects across the province, including the construction of new railway lines, the rehabilitation of existing rail corridors, and the introduction of new train services.
Authorities also plan to conduct a comprehensive cost-benefit analysis as part of the project planning. This assessment will evaluate passenger demand, freight transport potential, economic returns, and the long-term sustainability of the railway network.
Read all the Breaking News Live on pakistantimes.com and Get Latest English News & Updates from Pakistan Times. Follow us on Whatsapp channel for more.
