Mandra–Bhaun Railway

Mandra–Bhaun Railway (Urdu: مندرا–بھون ریلوے‎) was one of several railway lines in Pakistan, operated and maintained by Pakistan Railways. The line began at Mandra Junction and ended at Bhaun, a village about 12 kilometres (7.5 miles) south of the Chakwal city,[2] at the foothills of Salt Range.[3] The total length of this railway line was 74 kilometres (46 miles) with 8 railway stations.

Mandra–Bhaun Railway
Overview
Native nameمندرا–بھون ریلوے
StatusDismantled
OwnerPakistan Railways
TerminiMandra Junction
Bhaun
Service
Operator(s)Pakistan Railways
History
Opened1915 (1915)
Closed1993 (1993)
Technical
Line length74 km (46 mi)[1]
Track gauge1,676 mm (5 ft 6 in)

History

A railway line between Bhaun and Mandra was originally proposed to freight and ore from the mineral rich area of Chakwal, at the turn of the 20th century.[4] In 1913, the North Western State Railway began constriction began of the line. The 44 kilometer Mandra–Dhudial section was opened on 1 May 1915, the Dhudial–Chakwal section was opened on 1 June 1915 and the Chakwal-Bhaun section was opened on 15 January 1916.[5] In 1993, against the wishes of the locals, the railway line was abandoned and dismantled. It is alleged that the Nawaz Sharif government allowed the dismantling to occur, as some members of the ruling government had intricate ties to the private road transport businesses of the region.[6] In 1997, the Supreme Court took notice of the dismantling and a categorical assurance was given by Pakistan Railways to revive the rail section.[7] In 2007, Pakistan Railways finalized a plan to reconstruct the line and resume rail services.[8] Sheikh Rasheed Ahmad, who was then Minister of Railways, promised to revive the railway line within one and half year at the cost of ₨2 billion (US$12 million) .[3][9] Again, Minister of Railways Khawaja Saad Rafique proposed to revive the still defunct railway line in 2017.[6]

Stations

See also

References
  1. "Pakistan Railways Time & Fare Table 2015" (PDF). Musafir (in English and Urdu). Pakistan. October 2015: 106 (50). Archived from the original (PDF) on 18 August 2016. Retrieved 18 August 2016.
  2. Dhakku, Nabeel Anwar (3 May 2015). "100-year-old railway track yearns for revival". DAWN.COM. Retrieved 12 May 2017.
  3. Nabeel Anwar Dhakku (14 June 2009). "Plea to revive Mandra-Chakwal railway line". DAWN.COM. Chakwal. Retrieved 12 May 2017.
  4. "British Library Archives and Manuscripts Catalogue" - Search; Retrieved 26 Jan 2016
  5. " Administration Report on the Railways in India – corrected up to 31st March 1918"; Superintendent of Government Printing, Calcutta; page 116; Retrieved 26 Jan 2016
  6. Mumtaz Alvi (26 April 2017). "Proposal to revive Mandra-Chakwal-Bhoun rail link hailed". www.thenews.com.pk. ISLAMABAD. Retrieved 12 May 2017.
  7. Iftikhar A. Khan; Nabeel Anwar Dhakku (6 April 2017). "PM urged to revive old Mandra-Chakwal railway line". DAWN.COM. ISLAMABAD. Retrieved 12 May 2017.
  8. "Bhaun rail service to be resumed". DAWN.COM. RAWALPINDI. 29 January 2007. Retrieved 12 May 2017.
  9. "Minister- Mandra-Bhaun track to be completed within one and half year: Sh. Rashid informed", PPI - Pakistan Press International, Asia Pulse Pty Ltd, 27 February 2007, retrieved 13 May 2017


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