'Despatch by Lieutenant-General R. Wapshare, C.B., C.S.I. on the Organization and Working of the East Persian Line of Communications. From 1st April 1918 to 15th January 1919' [‎7v] (19/138)

Temporary barracks for troops bave been constructed at Nuskhi and Dal-
bandin. A tea shop has been opened at Dalbandin under private contract, and
a Monro Canteen has been opened at railhead. Attached to this canteen, but
under separate management, is a store for which supplies in bulk are being
obtained from the E. F. C., Bombay.
18. Re-organisaiion of Line of Communication. —The road Line of Communi
cation, on re-organisation, was divided into four sections, each under an Adminis
trative Commandant, who was assisted by a Transport Officer and a Supply Officer
in each section. On the extension of the Line of Communication from Meshed
to Askabad, the Line of Communication was again re-organised, into seven
sections, which will be reduced to six sections when the railhead reaches Duzdap.
A full description of the organisation of these sections is given in the Inspector-
General of Communications’ report attached.
A financial statement is also given in Chapter VIII of that report.
19. Capacity of Railway. —A serious consideration in connection with the
Line of Communication is the capacity of the railway lines from Sibi to Quetta,
which form a bottle-neck through which everything must pass. Quetta itself
is almost entirely dependent on imports and these, for the large garrison and
growing civil population, together with the needs of the outposts, constitute a
heavy demand on the capacity of the railway. Railway maintenance both for
the Bolan and Harnai routes, the Spezand-Nnshki section, the Chaman section,
and both construction and maintenance for the Nuskhi Extension Railway, have
to be taken into consideration. The ordinary food supply, together with the
coal and wood for the winter, mobilization reserves, transport for a very large
number of camels for the East Persian Cordon, materials for the temporary build
ings, the import of labour and the carriage of trade goods, both to Nuskhi and
Chaman, all formed problems of railway transportation not easy to solve. On
the Bolan Line, by which most of the traffic is carried, the capacity is about 150
vehicles a day. As a result of the congestion caused by somewhat indiscriminate
booking to Quetta, there has been at times a shortage of fuel, oil and flour during
the winter.
To remedy this as far as was possible, I obtained permission from Army
Headquarters to restrict all booking to Quetta to priority certificates issued by
the civil and military authorities in Quetta. A traffic control board was formed
under myself as President, which met weekly and allotted the available truckage
to the most urgent needs of the moment. This resulted in an economical utilisa
tion of the truckage available, and, at the same time, obviated hundreds of trucks
being detained in the Sukkur section, awaiting onward despatch to Quetta and
blocking essential requirements urgently needed. I wish to bring to notice the
importance of providing more engine power both on the Bolan and Harnai Lines
and on the Spezand-Nushki section, by which alone a greater capacity can be
obtained. I wish also to express my great appreciation of assistance rendered to
to me by the North-Western Railway and in particular by Mr. Young, the local
District Traffic Superintendent.
20. Supplies—Rail Line of Communication. —At the beginning of April the
portion of the Line of Communication under the Officer Commanding, “ G ” Supply
Depot Company, ran from Nushki to Saindak. This consisted of two sections :—
Rail Line of Communication . —Nushki to Dalbandin (Railhead Supply Depot);-
Road Line of Commumm^ow.—Dalbandin to Saindak (Advance Supply Depot);
the whole being under Major J. Morris, Supply -and Transport Corps, as Officer
in charge Supply Depots Line of Communication at Dalbandin.
Depots. —Were maintained at Nushki, Dalbandin, Nok Kundi and Saindak.
Reserves. — At Quetta 45 days for the whole force.
At Nushki and Nok Kundi 30 days for the troops, etc., dependent on
them.
At Dalbandin 45 days for the whole force ahead of that.
At Saindak there was always 30 days for the whole force in course of
transit.