'Report on the preliminary survey of the route for the Central Persia Telegraph Line. By W King Wood, Assistant Superintendent, Indo-European Telegraph Department.' [‎18r] (40/300)

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Genebal Summary.
Of the 72 61 miles from Ispahan to Ardistan, the first 38 miles pass over
the Ispahan plain in a north-easterly direction, and the road is practically level.
The hilly sta^, extending from Khasehtarash to Bagham, 18 20 miles,
presents no didiculries, as the hills are open and of relatively insignificant
height. The actual watershed, 4 miles to the south of Bagham/ is also open
and has an e’evarion of only 7,064 feet, the ascent to it being scarcely percep
tible, while the descent is equally gradual. Local information tends to prove
that this route is never blocked, snow which falls in the morning melting by
sunset. 3*92 miles from Baghara, the road to Ardistan bifurcates. I followed
the left track, which is the more direct, but it is rough for half a mile, whereas
the right track follows an open valley and is better for wheeled traffic.
There are no rivers, marshy ground, or swamps, while for the greater part
of the route the soil is gravelly but firm, and would be easily worked.
The climate, which resembles that of Ispahan, is good throughout.
Sweet water is abundant, and supplies are procurable at comparatively
short distances. The recently developed town of Habibabad, with an estimate!!
population of 10,090, lies on this route, and supplies of every description can be
obtained there. I would therefore venture to state that, after taking into con
sideration the other possible directions for the line to follow, this route appears
to me to be in every way the most suitable. I therefore beg leave to propose
that the present line via the Kohrud be dismantled and re-constructed along the
above-mentioned route.
At Ardistan, the Central Persia Telegraph line is struck, and bearing this
in mind it will be clear that a gain of some 23| miles would be ensured, Kashan
to Ispahan via the Kohrud being 96 miles, while the distance from Ardistan to
Ispahan is only 72'61 miles.
Having disposed of this diversion and relegating alternative routes to an
enclosure, we will now approach the question of the route that the Central
Persia Telegraph line should follow from Kashan to Pahra.