"لجنة النقل في بلاد الرافدين. تقرير اللجنة المعيّنة من جانب حكومة الهند بموافقة معالي وزير الدولة لشؤون الهند للاستفسار حول الأسئلة المتعلقة بتنظيم وإدارة السكك الحديدية والنقل النهري في بلاد الرافدين" [و‎‎٢‎٢] (١١٤/٤٣)

33
passengers and goods between Basra and Nasiriyeli. Tlie latter amounts on tlie
average to about 5 wagons daily, sometimes more, sometimes less, as military
requirements permit. It consists in the up direction (to Nasiriyeh) chiefly of food
grains and other necessaries of life for the large towns on or near the Euphrates, e.g.,-
Kerbela, to which it is carried on from Nasiriyeh either in country craft or by
caravan across the desert. In the down direction there is no " paying " traffic.
Sheep and goats belonging to Arab merchants are carried, but these are for con
sumption by the Army and are taken over on arrival at Basra at prices prevailing
at Nasiriyeh, both owner and live stock being carried on a free pass. See
Appendix G. (2).
Traffic in live stock is also carried between Baquba and Baghdad.
As regards this traffic it may be mentioned that Nasiriyeh and Baquba are
both places where sheep and goats are available in large numbers and they cannot
be marched to Basra or Baghdad respectively because neither grazing nor water is
available en route. That the permission to utilize the railway for commercial
traffic is appreciated is shown by the keen competition that takes place for the
5 wagons from Basra to Nasiriyeh.
193. There is no doubt that the use of the railway for the public carriage of
passengers and goods is a great influence for good in pacifying and settling the
country, p-nd we are of opinion that as facilities improve and opportunities offer
this should be gradually developed.
In view of the almost negligible proportion which this class of traffic bears to
military traffic, it certainly cannot be said that commercial traffic is carried to an
undue extent.
6. Joint Workshops.
194. After visiting the port of Basra and up-river stations and with the know
ledge obtaned of the considerable areas these occupy, we have no hesitation in
stating that a joint system of workshops would be impracticable. No economy
in personnel or material would be obtained.
Inr Basra the Inland Water Transport require their workshops near the dock
yard, which is not connected with the railway nor easily accessible ; the same holds
true as regards their present re-erection yard to a lesser degree.
The railway workshops are situated at Shaiba, 16 miles away from the dock
yard or the R. E. Field Park, Basra ; the latter is some distance from the dock
yard.
Approximately the same conditions exist at all up-nver stations.
195. Any joint system of workshops would necessitate control by an officer
capable of deciding priority of requirements and could not be conveniently sited
for these three Directorates so that delay in meeting demands would be entailed
and additional transport would be required. The same difficulties apply m the
establishment of joint foundries. Work in existing foundries is now carried out
from rough sketches amplified by verbal instructions, and if foundries were cen
tralized it would mean preparation of working drawings which would have to be
made by each indenting officer, necessary drafting staff for which does not exist.
196. In respect of the manufacture of a commodity in common use by all
Directorates anei requiring to be distributed from definite centres, centralization
might in some instances be advantageous. Tnus one Directorate would arrange
to undertake the manufacture of bricks for the use of all Directorates ; this we
understand is being arranged for in the Baghdad area and we recommend it be
extended if possible.
7. General Stores.
197. The following Directorates indent on India for stores rn^denUng^tor
Ordnance. Stores.
Works.
Inland Water Transport.
Railways.
Port Administration and Conservancy.
B129(w)AD