ملف ١٩١٦/١٣٢٣ الجزء ١ "بلوشستان: الأوضاع المضطربة على الحدود الأنجلو فارسية. الإدارة المستقبلية لولايات مكران وسرهد وقلات" [و‎‎٥] (٨٩٦/٧)

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Confidential endorsement from the Railway Department, No. 1115-P.,
DATED SlMLA,^ THE 18TH OCTOBER 1924.
A copy of the undermentioned paper is forwarded to the Foreign and
Political Department, for information and any action that may be con
sidered necessary.
Letter No. T.-'?4-W., dated the 1st October 19-4 (with enclosure), from the Agent,
North Western Railway, to the Secretary, Railway Board, regarding the question of
attracting more passenger traffic to the Nushki Extension Railway.
Letter from the Agent, North Western Railway, to the Secretary,
Railway Board, No. T./24-W., dated the 1st October 1924.
In reply to Railway Board’s Express letter No. 1115-P., dated 24th
September 1924, I beg to state that the Superintendent has continued to
give the matter of popularising travel on the Nushki Extension Railway
his attention.
2. His Majesty’s Consul at Sistan made four suggestions for attracting
more passenger traffic, viz :—<
(i) Better upper class carriages.
(ii) Advertising.
(iii) Arrangements for food.
(iv) Through carriages from Spezand to Duzdap.
3. As regards (i) the upper class stock on the Nushki Extension Rail
way suffers in comparison with stock on other sections of the North
Western Railway from being oil-lighted,—which from the railway point of
view is the system best suited to the conditions on the Nushki Extension
Railway—and consequently lacking electric fans. Except for the few
Government and other officials whose duties take them over the line the
upper class passenger traffic is extremely small and as the comfort by train
is above comparison with alternative modes of travel, it is doubtful whether
the introduction of gas or electric lighting, either of which would be very
expensive, would attract more upper class passengers.
4. As regards (ii) a poster to advertise this route is under preparation
and will be distributed as soon as ready.
5. Arrangements exist for providing food for passengers but it is
found that these are taken little advantage of—the bulk of the passengers
being accustomed to carrying their own food.
6. As regards (iv) the working of the Nushki Extension Railway with
passenger trains originating from and terminating at Ahmedwal is found to
be the most convenient.
7. In connection with this matter I enclose extracts from a report by
the Superintendent, Nushki Extension Railway.
Extracts from a refort (No. 15-T. [23! 111-Adated 29th May 192Jf) from
the Superintendent, Nushki Extension Railway, to the Traffic Manager
Operation, North-Western Railway, Lahore.
The same stock is running. The defects comprise lighting by oil, want
of electric fans. I doubt if improvements in these directions will attract
more passenger traffic.
* * * * *
I have received no complaints from the public regarding the condi
tions of the carriages. The Persian has no ground for complaining as for
centuries he has been accustomed to travelling hundreds of miles over desert