Sibi-Zardalu Branch Line

Sibi-Zardalu Branch-Line
Native name
سبی-خوست برانچ لائن
IndustryRailways
PredecessorKandahar State Railway (1881-85)
Founded1881
Area served
Balochistan
ServicesRail transport
ParentNorth Western State Railway (1886-1905)
North Western Railway (1905-1947)
Pakistan Western Railway (1947-1971)
Pakistan Railways (1971-Present)
km
0
Sibi Junction
12
Nari
24
Tanduri
35
Babar Kachh
47
Kuchali
67
Spintangi
78
Sonari Halt
93
Harnai
104
Nakus
118
Sharigh
132
Khost
140
Zardalu


The Sibi-Zardalu Branch Line, previously known as Kandahar State Railway opened in 1881, originally ran from Sibi and then on wards to Rindli, with the intention to reaching Quetta and onwards to Kandahar.[1] However, the line never reached Kandahar.[2] The Kandahar State Railway had its headquarters at Sibi, Balochistan. The Kandahar State Railway joined with the southern section of the Sind–Pishin State Railway and in 1886 amalgamated, with other railways, to form North Western State Railway (NWSR). The total length of this line is 140 kilometers with 10 railway stations. The railway line was closed in 2006 after terrorist attack. Rehabilitation work started in 2016, after long delay the railway line became operational in 2023 till Harnai.

History

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From Sibi, the line ran south-west, skirting the hills to Rindli, and originally followed the course of the Bolan stream to its head on the plateau. The destructive action of floods, however, led to the abandonment of this alignment. The railway now follows the Mashkaf Valley. The Bolan Pass Railway construction enabled this NWR route to be selected. The railway line was abandoned by Pakistan Railways in 2006 due to floods. Rehabilitation work started on the railway line in 2015. Following several delays the line became semi-operational in 2023.[3]

Locals Problems

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When the railway line was closed in 2006 due to terrorists attacks, locals have been facing travelling problems. As there is no direct road which connects Sibi to harnai and further, so locals have to go Quetta first and then they go to there original destination. But now it has become easy for them because railway line has become active.

Stations

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Abandoned Section

Personnel

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  • Henry Francis Storey: 1880, Engineer-in-Chief of the Jacobabad section. 1881, appointed Engineer-in-Chief. 1883, promoted to the Superintendent of Way and Works.
  • Hugh Lewin Monk: deployed from the Railway Branch of the Public Works Department to Kandahar State Railway until 1881.

See also

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References

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  • The spelling of Scinde, Punjaub & Delhi Railway is variable. Scinde and Punjaub are the spellings adopted in the legislation - see "Government Statute Law Repeals 2012" pages 134-135, paragraphs 3.78-3.83.[4]
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