"النقل الآلي الطرق في بلاد فارس. المجلد ١ - الطرق الرئيسية. ١٩٤٢" [و‎‎١‎٣‎٢] (٤٩٨/٢٦٨)

M. T. ROUTE No. VII-D.
ZAHIDAN to BAM.
Distance. —210 miles.
Reference £" Sheets 24-0, 24-L, 24-K.
Authority. —“Plumrec” Report November 1941
Notes.— (1) This route has been numbered VII-D, and BAM to KERMAN
Route VII-E, in order not to interfere with the continuity of
the KERMAN-ISHAHAN Route and its link via Route VI
with BANDAR ABBA^. Put the importance of the ZAHII'AN-
KERMAN Route is such as to justify its becoming a major
route in spite of its imperfections. It provides an additional
road link between India and N. W. Iran, and might be extremely
valuable.
(2) For further details see the report compiled by "Plumrec” in
November 1941 (copies available at G. H. Q. India).
GENERAL REPORT.
1. Classification .—B 2. But for the obstacles mentioned
in para. 2 it would be fit for heavy M. T. and could be made so
reasonably quickly.
2. Surface and Grading .—
(a) As far as NASRATABAD SIPI (24 O/E. 417*) the
' road is similar to the shingle roads of Baluchistan
and runs through much the same country of flat plain,
rolling down or over occasional ranges of hills. There
are no excessive gradients or weak bridges, and the
surface is fair for this type of road. The road is
generally wide and can take two-way traffic easily.
The dust is very bad and will restrict traffic to about
6 v.t.m., if the wind is unfavourable.
(b) The section NASRATABAD SIPI-BAM starts off over
the DARWAZA NADARI, a very narrow pass only
wide enough for one-way traffic, with a steep ascent
and descent at the summit From KAHURAK (24
O/E. 1724) the road follows no particular track for
about 20m. over sandv plain and then, at the edge of the
LUT desert, runs into about 2£ m. of very heavy sand
that can only be crossed by the use of sand mats etc.,
and with much manual labour on those vehicles which
get stuck.
(c) From this bad patch there is a run of 14 m. to the
tower of MIL-I-NADARI (24 O/J. 7479)—a land mark
for caravans about 55" high-over soft but shallow sand
that requires careful driving,