‘M.T. Routes in Persia. Volume 1 – Main Routes. 1942’ [‎16v] (37/498)

ROUTE I—SECTION C.
HAMADAN to KAZVIN.
Distance —148 miles.
Number of stages. —9.
Reference 4" Sheets. —9-B, 9-A, 9-E.
GENERAL REPORT.
1. Classification—B. 1. inclining to C. 1 approaching bridges
and where badly cambered. From AVEH on the road inclines
to A. 1. and though corrugated is otherwise in good condition;
but maintenance throughout must be increased to cope with
continuous heavy M T. traffic (Sept. 1941).
2. Surface and grading—An unsoled track of average width
of 20' lightly metalled and heavily shingled. There are no severe
gradients.
3. Character of adjacent country— For the most part bleak
plateau with a mountainous portion from mile 331 to mile 360.
With the exception of parts of this mountainous stretch (such as
the AVEH CHAI ravine) operations off the road are possible
for all arms on both sides. The road is commanded except as
follows:—mile 274 to 276; mile 297 to 301; mile 326 to 365.
A special report on the area HAMADAN—SULTAN
BULAGH (Map 9 E/Y. 70) will be found at the end of the
Section.
4. Climatic effect— Mild in summer owing to its mean
elevation of 4,000—5,C00 feet. Intensely cold in winter. Most
of the rain falls in November, April and May. The snow falls
in December, January, February and early March.
5. Exceptional features. —(i) Rivers — There are no large
rivers and the smaller ones such as the QARA CHAI at mile 270
and 282 and the KHAR RUD at mile 352 are adequately bridged
and could be forded except in spring or after very heavy and
continuous rain.
(ii) Passes. —The AVEH pass (it is not locally known as
the SULTAN BULAGH pass) at mile 331 is the only pass The
ascent is easy as is the descent. Owing to its altitude (7,500') it
is, in normal years, blocked with snow two or three times a year
for two or three days at a time between late December and early
March.
6. Repair facilities. —Road metal is available throughout.
Unskilled civil labour is very scarce from HAMAD^N to
RAZAN. There is a little timber at RAZAN and AVEH and
NAHAVAND for bridge repairs. There are no steam rollers.