'File 379/1906 Railways: Aden; railway construction in Aden hinterland; Aden-Lahej Railway' [‎93r] (190/308)

PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT CODE.
Volume I, Chapter VII, para. 7, vt seq.
Military Works Services.
Estimate No. 114 of 1905-1906.
Aden Disteict.
Estimate framed by Lieutenant-Colonel R. Leigh, R.E., Commanding
Royal Engineer, of the expense of preparing preliminary track from Nobat
Dakim to Dthala, Aden Hinterland.
Tieferences.
No
Date.
From
To
Particulars.
2609-E.B. *
8th July 1905
Secretary to Govern
ment of India,
Foreign D epart-
ment.
Chief Secretary
to Govern
ment of Bom
bay.
Stating that Govern
ment are prepared
to consider favour
ably proposals for
a [railway from
Aden to the in
terior.
* Pro. No. 20 in Secret E, August 1905, Nos, 17-21.
Report. -
Eor about two years a British garrison has been maintained at Dthala.
about 100 miles north of Aden, and fortified posts at different stages on the
route to Dthala. The security offered by these garrisons and the friendly
relations resulting from continuous intercourse with the Arabs is having a
most salutary effect on the peace of the interior, within the British sphere,
and encouraging an increasing trade with Aden. This good result is greatly
retarded by the bad roads and difficult communications, as there is as present
only a camel track across the desert to Nobat Dakim at the foot of the moun
tains, and from there a narrow track along the beds of shifting streams and of
very steep gradients up to the plateau of Dthala.
It is hoped that a railway! may before long be constructed across the deser* t Secret^
from Aden to Nobat Dakim and from there a road with satisfactory gradient 8 N Ti 7 - 2 i. ’
to Dthala. The military authorities have now sent a Pioneer regiment to
Dthala to form part of the garrison and to assist in improving the communica
tions, and it is proposed they should commence at once widening and improving
the existing hill track and making small diversions to improve the gradients,
leaving all heavy diversions and bridges, etc., for the present, until the
detailed plans and estimates required by the Public Works Department Code
can be made.
The present estimate provide for this preliminary track, most of which
will eventually form part of the road.
Detail of work.
No.
MKAStTEEMESTS.
L.
B.
H.
Quantities.
1. Widening existing track
to 8 feet width, clearing
stones, etc.
30 miles
...
...
...
30 miles.
2, Making diversions where
necessary to obtain satisfac
tory gradients.
15 „
15 „