'Military Report of the Nushki-Chagai-Western Sinjarani Country' [‎12r] (28/302)

11
'Ogth,
often
mltiei
it to
eciate
doubt
would
untry
3 rated
spot
.n tbe
way,
vs
vater-
irade-
ihata
The
jnant
tough
11s, so
that
tages
beds,
ppiy.
3ts in
away
>duce
t the
fla'/ch
io be
'PP 1 /
'aries
f the
izing
been
tzing
e not
ntry.
f ould
road
dig
can
jnds,
nels.
y be
the
vant
of water and grazing, become useful routes and remain so till June
or later. The heat later than June, however, precludes all but the
most necessary movements, until October, when the climate
becomes more temperate. But between October and the December
rains the grazing and water are at their worst. The season from
February to the end of May, therefore, appears, under all consider
ations, to be best for the movement of troops.
The routes referred to marginally are “ Routes in Southern Baluchistan.'’
1. Quetta to Nushki, length 91 miles, 5 stages .—There are
several routes by which Nushki may be reached from Quetta, and Route No. 30.
they are all described in “ Routes in Northern Baluchistan”; but
as they are all outside the limits of the Nushki-Chagai-Sinja-
rani country, it may be sufficient to here describe the main route
by the South Barak pass which is used by kafilas, and is the
postal and trade route.
For the first four stages from Quetta to Kishingi the country
is on a level with the plateau on which Quetta stands, and there
are villages and supplies within easy access of the road : from
Kishingi the road descends abruptly to the level plain on which
Nushki is situated. The road throughout has been made with inclines,
not too steep for camels, and it is practicable for wheeled artil
lery, but being unmetalled throughout, it is unfit for wheeled
traffic. Stages 3 and 4 are 26 and 24 miles, respectively ; these are
very long marches. The water-supply at the stages is good, but
on the road between stages it is bad. Facility of communication
between Quetta and Nushki is a matter of very great importance,
seeing that Nushki is the natural starting point for caravans cross
ing the deserted area lying between it and the Persian border; it
is, in fact, the proper terminus of the Nushki-Seistan trade route.
It is also the natural depot for all caravans from Garmsel, the
Helmand valley, and Shorawak; from these districts during the
month of November 1901 trade was brought into Nushki to
the value of Rs. 1,02,866. This latter fact is one of military im
portance as showing the ease with which the desert between Nushki
and the Helm and can be crossed at the proper time of year.
A metalled road between Quetta and Nushki is, at present,
regarded as an unnecessary expense, but the necessity for railway
communication between the two places has been recognised,
and the line is now in course of construction. The headin g of
the Nishpa tunnel is expected to be through by the 1st of January
1904 and the tunnel to be completed by the 1st January 1905.
The heavy work between miles 4 and 7 will be completed by Nov
ember 1903.
The cuttings in banks in Shekh Wasil gorge will be com
pleted about August, and the tunnel by the end of December 1903.
The line will probably be opened by June 1905. There are three
ranges of hills separated by plateaux, each plateau being lower than