Pakistan Railways will restore Lahore-Faisalabad train service from November 15, 2026, after finishing repairs to a railway bridge damaged by floods near Sheikhupura. The route has been shut since severe flooding in August damaged railway infrastructure and disrupted operations between Lahore, Sheikhupura and Faisalabad. Regular passenger and freight trains are expected to run again from that date, once a trial run confirms the track is safe.
Repairs on the Massan Kalar Bridge
Pakistan Railways engineering teams have nearly finished restoring the Massan Kalar Bridge. Officials said civil work is complete, and teams are now inspecting the newly laid track and completing some remaining tasks. Hafeezullah, Chief Executive Officer of Pakistan Railways, said the new embankment and track-laying were almost complete.
Hafeezullah added that the federal railways minister is due to inaugurate the restored section on November 15, which will allow regular operations to resume. Officials plan to run a trial train within the next few days. The trial will let railway staff check the restored track before passenger and freight services return. Departure times and fares were not part of the announcement, so travellers should confirm timings with Pakistan Railways before they leave.
Cost and flood safeguards
Inamullah Khan, Divisional Superintendent of Lahore Railways, said the restoration project cost around Rs. 455 million. The work covered civil, mechanical and electrical engineering. Engineers also built a stronger embankment and created water passages under nearby bridges, which is meant to reduce the risk of similar damage in future floods.
Officials describe the Lahore-Faisalabad section as an important revenue-generating route for Pakistan Railways. Passenger trains on the line include the Shalimar Express, Badar Express, Ghauri Express and Karakoram Express. Freight trains also use the route, depending on the goods available for transport.
Timeline: what has happened so far
- August: Severe flooding damages railway infrastructure and disrupts trains between Lahore, Sheikhupura and Faisalabad. The route is suspended.
- Third week of September: Work on the Massan Kalar Bridge begins after floodwater recedes enough for engineering teams to reach the site.
- November 9, 2026: Pakistan Railways announces November 15, 2026 as the date to restore Lahore-Faisalabad train services.
- Within the next few days: A trial train is planned on the restored track.
- November 15, 2026: The federal railways minister is due to inaugurate the restored section, and regular services are set to resume.
Aasan alfaaz mein
Lahore aur Faisalabad ke darmiyan train service 15 November 2026 se dobara shuru hone wali hai. Pakistan Railways ne Massan Kalar Bridge ki marammat lagbhag mukammal honay par yeh elaan kiya hai, aur pehle ek trial train chalaye gi. Sheikhupura ke paas sailab se tooti hui railway line ab tayyar ho rahi hai. Safar se pehle timing aur kiraya Pakistan Railways se zaroor confirm karein.
