The history of Kalabagh Railway Bridge

 February 24, 2018

Pakistan is the proud heir to an extensive network of narrow-gauge railways inherited from the British colonial era. These railways served as crucial links, connecting various regions within the country. Originally established to facilitate the transportation of goods and essential raw materials such as coal, cotton, and wheat, these railways played a vital role in fostering economic development.

Among the remarkable railway structures from this era is the Kalabagh railway bridge, which was inaugurated on the 10th of August 1931. This bridge served as a crucial link, connecting the broad-gauge railway system on the eastern side of the Indus River to the narrow-gauge system on the western side. As a result of this significant engineering feat, a new and convenient route from Lahore to Bannu and Tank was made available, providing enhanced connectivity and transportation options for the region.

History

The construction of a bridge over the River Indus at Kalabagh marks a significant milestone in railway connectivity. This bridge will serve as a vital link between the broad gauge (5'-6") system of the North-Western Railway on the southeast side of the river and the narrow gauge (2'-6") Railway on the northwest side. It represents the first step towards converting the 2'-6" gauge Railway from Kalabagh to Bannu to a broad gauge line, with plans to extend it further to Mirali.

The bridge holds immense importance in enhancing railway communication between Punjab and Waziristan. Its completion will eliminate the need for the existing ferry system, which has inherent transportation limitations. Additionally, when combined with the completion of the bridge over the Chenab at Chiniot and the bridge over the Jhelum near Khushab, it will provide an alternative, faster, and more convenient route from Lahore to this frontier region. Furthermore, the suspended Lyallpur-Chananwala Connection will offer an additional line of communication between the frontier and Delhi.

From a commercial standpoint, the bridge is poised to play a substantial role in the development of inter-communication between the Frontier Province and the rest of India, yielding significant benefits. It is unnecessary to elaborate on its evident strategic importance.

The proposal for a bridge over the Indus at or near Kalabagh had been under discussion for several years. Initial surveys were conducted in 1888 by Mr. Ramsay, followed by further investigations and proposals by Mr. Verrier in 1919 and Col. Cowie in 1921. The idea of a Transporter Bridge, explored by Mr. Hallidy in 1923, was eventually abandoned.

An alternative proposal was considered, involving a combined Weir and Railway Bridge. However, this plan was rejected partly due to uncertainty regarding the sanction for the Thal Canal Project, of which the Weir formed a part. Moreover, the chosen site allowed for a shorter crossing of 2,500' instead of a longer 4,500' crossing at the proposed location.

Finally, in 1927, a project for a bridge with an estimated cost of Rs. 40:36 lakhs was submitted to the Railway Board and received approval in May of that year. The bridge consists of nine girders spanning 250' with a clear distance of 263' between piers. These girders, adhering to the standard M. L. of 1926, are designed to accommodate a single broad-gauge railway line. Considering the absence of road communications, no provision has been made for roadways.

Site.

The chosen location for the bridge lies approximately one mile downstream from the point where the Indus River emerges from the gorge and enters the plains. It is positioned just below Mari Ghat, the current ferry terminus, and immediately after the convergence of the Nihal Shah Nullah. This site offers a stable course for the river, eliminating the risk of upstream meandering due to the presence of surrounding hills that define its path. Moreover, the geographical configuration of the surrounding area prevents the river from forming loops and flowing back close to the bridge approaches.

This favorable condition ensures the long-term stability of the river channel and simplifies the task of securing the bridge approaches. Additionally, the chosen site possesses the added advantage of facilitating the alignment of the approaches. It effectively avoids numerous graveyards, particularly on the Kalabagh side, as its position enables easy avoidance of these areas without complications.