'ANNUAL REPORT OF THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE BOMBAY PRESIDENCY, FOR THE YEAR 1860-61' [‎34r] (63/164)

PUBLIC WORKS—RAILWAY. [Bombay]
Bandora and Bassein (157* and 136 miles from Surat); portions of this line are
ready for the rails. The staging for the Bassein Viaduct has been begun, and
one or two piles are in position.
Some earthwork has been done this year between Bassein and the Wytur*
nee River (136 and 122 miles), where the second large bridge will soon be
commenced, much of the material being on the ground.
From the Wyturnee River to the Dannoo Swamp (122 to 96 miles), pro
gress, though not much this season on account of the stoppage of work, has
been made in earthwork and masonry, and but little has been done on the
Dannoo Embankment, 6 miles long. North of this to Bulsar (41st mile), a good
deal of earthwork and ballasting, and a little masonry has been done; at the
Koluck and Par Bridges, commenced only in February last, considerable pro
gress has been made.
The completion of the line from Bombay to the Par River, in two years,
might be predicted with all confidence, the heavy embankment at Dannoo and
the Wyturnee and Bassein Bridges being the regulating and the only formidable
works, provided there be no accident or orders for restriction.
Indeed, though the Baroda line does “cross many a creek and river be
tween Bassein and Broach,” these do not, on experience, prove to be the serious
obstacles supposed by many.
The line is very nearly completed from Bulsar to Sucheen (9 miles from
Surat). Some of the best work on the line done this season is to be seen on
this length, and its progress has been very rapid.
The open portion commences at Sucheen, and extends (with a break at the
Nerbudda River) to Doolia near the Mhyee, 99f miles in length ; it will be
specially reported on subsequently, and the portion, still under construction,
from Doolia to Ahmedabad, considered first.
The Mhyee Viaduct, the only very heavy work on this length, has lately
been begun, and but little beyond preparation of material has been done. As,
however, the bed of the Mhyee is nearly dry after October, screwing the piles
of the piers will not be difficult, and might be completed in a single season.
Beyond the Mhyee, the earthwork and masonry bridges were finished three
seasons ago. For reasons best known to those who managed matters, the works
thus remained for two seasons; they were just started again, when the order of
the Government of India, restricting expenditure, stopped all further progress.
Since the restriction was removed some progress has been made, and the work
of ballasting, laying permanent way, and conveying material up-country, is
now going on vigorously.
* Here and elsewhere the distances from Surat are given, because the terminal point in
Bombay is not yet fixed.
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