‘Persia – especially Seistan’ [‎185r] (368/949)

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17
Considerations on the Direction and cod of constructing a Line from
South to the Fort’* of Fersian Gulf and Indian Ocean.
Tehran
Lines from Tehran to Bunder Bnshire and Bunder Abbas.
From Tehran to the south the line must take the direction o£ the existing
road, leaving Abdul Azim to the left, to the post station of
keening more to the east to avoid the high ground between the 36 Jth and 370 th
Tersts Ind between the 4' 0th and 42 th verst to the town of Kum. The detour
is possible along the valley of the Kerej and the shore of Lake Hauz-i-Sultan.
Prom Kum the direction of the road to the post station of Pasangan coin
cides with the existing rate. Prom Pasangan it is necessary to deviate to the east
to avoid elevations and come out again on the post road between the station
nf Sinsin and Kashan. Prom Kashan the lines must take the direction not of
1 KuW Pass“high point of the route, but easterly to Natenz, and
thence to Ispahan. „ .
From Kum to Ispahan another direction may be selected avoiding Kashan
and the Kuhrud Pass more to the west, namely, by the Valley of the Kum-
ch'ii to Gulpaigan through the Pass of Dugush to Ispahan. The westerly
direction although 60 to 70 versts longer, passes through a populous and
well-watered region, while the easterly proceeds from Kum for the most part
over desert and ill-irrigated foot-hills. Unfortunately I was not in a position
to investigate this route, but I am of opinion that it is necessary to do so
before making any final selection. .
of Tsoaban tbe line may keep the direction of the caravan route
for a d"sttce or 2 2 rverl to the settlement of Surmek. The falls do not
exceed 012, and may bo reduced by suitable winding of the line. From the
Ai.i ment of Surmek the line must deviate to the east, to avoide the ridge pr -
cdn“ to the south-east, and enter the valley of the Pelvar or Khan-i-
Kirgan at the settlement of Murgab Further, the line will go along the
vallev of this stream to its junction with the Bendemir, which falls into
Lake^ Niriz In view of the imposibility of approaching Shiraz from
north keeping to the direction of the road tbe line must be carried along
vallev of the Bendemir towards the settlement of Kushmulla, in ol der
with more gentle ascent to the ridge, and to descend again from it to Shiraz.
Prom Shiraz to Bunder Bushire two routes have been travelled o™ - -" 11 ®
Kazran the other to Firuzab id. Both directions are unsuited for the con
struction of the line, in consequence of topographical conditions. Pro n Sluro ■
the line can be built without incurring colossal expenditure only along the
valley of the Kara Agaeh or Mund, and along the shore of the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran.
to Bunder Busbire.
This direction is very circuitous, having an extent of o 70 versts from < uraz
to Bunder Bushire, but the only possible one, as it will make it possible, follow
ing the river, to descend from the height of 5,000 put to the level of the Persian
Gulf
Even with this enormous prolongation the point will be almost ' 003 .
The valley of the Kara Agaoh, in many eases cutting through mountains,
flows in deep rocky defiles. It is therefore to be presumed that in these sec
tions the line will present difficulties on account »f the extensive work in rockj
soTand the toge number of engineering works. Taking the direction from
Shiraz to Bunder Abbas the line must follow the valley of the same river, th
Kara Agach. to tbe caravanserai A roadside inn providing accommodation for caravans (groups of travellers). of Alibad, afterwards, to avoid high gi
between the Kara Agach and the town Ear, it will take a more southerly
direction, coming out again at Lar in its previous course which it will main-
tain to Bunder Abbas, with suitable deviations to dimmish tails.
The length of the route from Tehran to Bunder Bushire and Bunder Abbas
will he as follows : —
Tehran-Bunder Bushire, 1,490 versts; Tehran-Bunder Abbas, 1,530 versts.
The cost of constructing the lines.
In determining the cost of tbe line in the three directions indicated to
Bunder Bushire, Bunder Abbas, and Chahbar, it must be borne m mind that
F. D.
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