Other name(s) Main Line 3
ML-3 Operator(s) Pakistan Railways Track gauge 1,676 mm (5 ft 6 in) Line number 3 | Stations 184 Line length 523 km (325 mi) Owner Pakistan Railways | |
Opened 6 October 1879 (1879-10-06) Terminis Chaman railway station, Rohri Junction railway station | ||
Rohri–Chaman Railway Line (Urdu: روہڑی–چمن مرکزی راه آهن خط) (also referred to as Main Line 3 or ML-3) is one of four main railway lines in Pakistan, operated and maintained by Pakistan Railways. The line begins from Rohri Junction station and ends at Chaman station. The total length of this railway line is 523 kilometers (325 mi). There are 35 railway stations from Rohri Junction to Chaman on this line and is famous for passing through the historic Bolan pass. This line incorporates part of the historic Sind–Pishin State Railway.
Contents
History
The Rohri–Chaman Railway Line is originally a strategic line constructed by the Scinde, Punjab & Delhi Railway. Construction began in 1880 and opened to the public in 1887, which by then was part of the North Western State Railway. Quetta was always considered as an important strategic destination during the British Raj. Britain feared that the Russian Empire might advance from Afghanistan into Quetta, thereby threatening its rule in South Asia. In 1857, when the idea was suggested by William Andrew (Chairman of Scinde, Punjab & Delhi Railway) that a railway line be constructed through the Bolan Pass. On 18 September 1879 work begun on laying the railway tracks and after four months, the first 215 kilometers of line from Ruk to Sibi was completed and become operational in January 1880. Beyond Sibi, the terrain was very difficult. After immense difficulties and harsh weather conditions, the line reached Quetta in March 1887.
Stations
The stations on this line are as follows: