ISLAMABAD: The city managers have planned to launch an electric tram service in Islamabad and the Capital Development Authority (CDA) has decided to get a feasibility conducted.

“Today, we decided to get feasibility of tram service conducted. Following direction of the prime minister and the interior minister, we are moving towards eco-friendly public transport in Islamabad. The electric bus service is already in operation and now we have decided to get feasibility of the tram service. We will move forward step by step,” CAD Chairman Mohammad Ali Randhawa told Dawn.

A CDA team headed by the chairman and board members had a meeting with officials of National Radio Telecommunication Corporation (NRTC) at the civic agency’s headquarters to discuss the proposed tram project.

“The meeting focused on operationalising the Soft Wheel Electric Tram and improving operations of Electric Feeder Buses,” said a press release issued by the CDA on Thursday. During the meeting, it added, the CDA chief directed authorities to finalise the feasibility study to ensure its implementation on the city’s busiest routes.

Meeting held with officials from NRTC to discuss proposal, says official

The chairman said providing Islamabad with state-of-the-art transport facilities was the civic agency’s top priority. He said electric trams and feeder buses will not only offer citizens modern commuting solutions but will also reduce air pollution and fuel consumption.

Mr Randhawa emphasised that tram compartments must be designed with multiple sections to accommodate maximum passengers. Accessibility for persons with disabilities and women must also be prioritised.

Sources said CDA was likely to engage a Chinese consulting firm for the feasibility study of the tram service.

They said the civic agency wanted to start the tram service initially on four routes, including Rawat to Faisal Mosque on the Expressway and Jinnah Square to the airport on Srinagar Highway.

However, in the past too, CDA had made such claims to start tram and light train services but failed to translate the plans into reality. A couple of years ago, the civic agency had tried to engage China Railway to run a light rail transit (LRT) system in the capital and also held a meeting with officials of the Chinese company. However, later on the CDA shelved the project.

A Few years ago, the CDA had also approached the Economic Affairs Division requesting for arrangement of funds from any international donor such as the Asian Development Bank or the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) for THE light train project.

Existing bus service

The CDA through its contractor NRTC has been running an electric bus service in Islamabad for the last around one year. The bus service has been providing transport facility to a large number of people. However, several steps are yet to be taken to facilitate passengers about the timings of the buses.

Currently, there are no digital screens anywhere in Islamabad to guide the commuters about arrival of the buses. There is also no app, literature/pamphlets about this major bus service.

However, the press release said the CDA chairman at the meeting directed that “all bus terminals must be equipped with modern technology, including digital screens for real-time schedules, safety alerts and advertisements.”

An official said that the CDA chief had already taken notice of the issue and an app will be introduced soon besides installation of digital screens on all bus stations.

About the possibility of launching the tram service, he said: “Earlier, when we were talking about starting electric buses, people had doubt too, but we started the service with a fleet of 160 buses and now on almost every main road of the city our buses are available.”

Meanwhile, a bus depot is being constructed at Zero Point area where besides parking and charging facility, a central command and control system will be installed. The depot project is in progress and likely to be completed after a few months.

Published in Dawn, May 2nd, 2025