East Indian Railway: 1906 History of the EIR - Chapter XIII
Note: This is a sub-section of the East Indian Railway
The History of the East Indian Railway by George Huddleston. Published 1906 by Tracker, Spins and Co
CHAPTER XIII. THE GRAND CHORD LINE.
THE question of constructing what is known as the Grand Chord Line, long advocated by Mr. Crawford, was one of the subjects put before General Strachey during his visit to India. The Grand Chord Line had first been surveyed in 1850, with the idea of constructing the original main line by that route, it being the more direct way to the North-West; but the Government of the day preferred, and no doubt wisely preferred, the somewhat more circuitous Loop Line route, which tapped the great cities and trade centres along the banks of the River Ganges.
Mr. Crawford in 1886 reopened the question of constructing the Grand Chord, on the ground that it would not only form a relief to the growing traffic of the main line, but would consolidate the great railway system of the Gangetic Valley. Without going into the earlier history of the project it is enough to say here that, before the arrival of General Strachey, the country had been re-surveyed by Mr. Parker, one of the Company's Engineers, and that estimates of the cost of construction had been prepared, which included a branch to the Palamow coal-field and a branch into Jherriah, though it was admitted that the precise location of the different lines comprising the scheme might eventually be altered and improved. General Strachey directed that the estimates should be placed before the Government of India, with an offer to construct both the Grand Chord Line and the branches referred to as part of the undertaking. This was in the early part of 1890.
Years passed and nothing could be done owing to the impossibility of obtaining the requisite funds, but at last, in 1895, the Government authorised part of the work being begun, under certain specified conditions, which the Board accepted. In the meantime, as detailed elsewhere, there had been considerable discussion as to the agency through which the Grand Chord Line should be constructed, and it was a subject for congratulation that the just claims of the East Indian Railway were not passed over.
General Strachey in advising the shareholders of the decision remarked:
"I need not therefore dwell on this subject beyond expressing my satisfaction that the question, as to the Company being eventually placed in a position to carry out the Grand Chord Line, is now virtually settled and that no further controversy regarding it will be possible. I may, however, take the opportunity of adding that the Board, and I feel sure you will all agree with them, while. consistently holding the opinion that the Company was fairly entitled to construct the Grand Chord Line, as a part of the undertaking of the East Indian Railway, when circumstances were held to be ripe for it and that its eventual construction was inevitable, as it offered the shortest possible route between the Upper Provinces and Calcutta, yet have never made objections to opening up a fresh route giving access to Calcutta."
The first portion of the line to be constructed was the section from Gya to Moghalsarai, including the important bridge over the Soane River at Dehree and the branch to the Palamow coal-fields. After this portion had been opened for traffic, the Government accorded sanction to the construction of the remaining portion, between Gya and the Barrakur branch; this latter section, which involves very heavy work through a hilly country, is now nearing completion and should be opened for traffic before the close of 1906.
The construction of the Grand Chord Line will shorten the distance between the Upper Provinces of India and Calcutta by 50 miles and will bring the Jherriah coal-fields much nearer to these Provinces. Its opening will not only cheapen coal in Upper India, but will involve a reduction in the charges for transport of a considerable proportion of the traffic now carried to and from stations above Moghalsarai. How far such reduction in charge will be followed by increased traffic remains to be seen, but there is little doubt that the opening of a shorter route will be of some benefit to the port of Calcutta in its competition with Bombay, and although, judging by the nature of the country traversed by a considerable portion of the new line, it is doubtful whether its local traffic will prove more than nominal, there is no reason to look forward to the result with any anxiety.
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