Lahore to Launch Solar-Powered SRT Metro

Lahore, July 22, 2025, 07:13 PM PKT — Pakistan is gearing up for a transportation revolution, set to launch its first trackless, ticketless, solar-powered metro system, the Super Autonomous Rail Rapid Transit (SRT) System, in Lahore, a landmark leap in urban mobility, with the first demonstration vehicle—termed a “subway on wheels”—arriving near Lahore Airport for a pilot project. Leveraging Virtual Track Technology, the battery-powered electric vehicle navigates via sensors, GPS, and digital mapping on regular roads, sidestepping costly rail infrastructure, and was unveiled at a ceremony with Pakistani and Chinese officials, highlighting global collaboration.

This high-capacity, low-infrastructure solution, proven in China, Malaysia, UAE, and Turkey, targets dense urban zones like Lahore, though Karachi’s Red Line Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) lags due to utility relocation delays, with Senior Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon acknowledging public frustration over traffic disruptions. The SRT’s success could redefine Pakistan’s mass transit, but challenges loom. Web context shows urban transport trends, while posts found on X reflect excitement and caution—some hail innovation, others question execution. Critically, the narrative of “modern transit” may mask rollout risks—web data hints at past project delays, and X sentiment suggests distrust in timely delivery, pointing to potential hurdles.