Malakwal–Khushab Branch Line ملکوال-خُوشاب فرعی ریلوے خط |
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Overview | |
Other name(s) | Sind–Sagar Railway |
Status | Operational |
Termini |
Malakwal Junction Khushab Junction |
Stations | 14 |
Operation | |
Opened | 1 May 1887 |
Owner | Pakistan Railways |
Operator(s) | Pakistan Railways |
Technical | |
Line length | 92 km (57 mi) |
Track gauge | 1,676 mm (5 ft 6 in) |
Operating speed | 105 km/h (65 mph) (Current) 160 km/h (99 mph) (Proposed Upgrade) |
Malakwal–Khushab branch line (Urdu: ملکوال-خُوشاب فرعی ریلوے خط) is one of several branch lines in Pakistan, operated and maintained by Pakistan Railways. The line begins from Malakwal Junction station and ends at Khushab Junction station. The total length of this railway line is 92 kilometers (57 mi). There are 14 railway stations from Malakwal Junction to Khushab Junction.. At present, rail traffic on this line is suspended.
The Malakwal–Khushab branch line was built as part of the Sind–Sagar Railway between 1884 and 1939. In May 1887, the Victoria Bridge was completed over the Jhelum river between Malakwal and Chak Nizam and a railway line was constructed from Malakwal to Khushab. The line was conceived to haul freight from the mining rich region and served two important smaller railways: the Gharibwal Cement Works Railway and the Dandot Light Railway (serving the Khewra Salt Mine). In 1939, the Victoria bridge had to be completely re-girdered on the old piers when the bridge proved to be incapable of taking increased rail traffic.
The Dandot Light Railway opened in 1905 as a 10 kilometres (6.2 mi) 610 mm (2 ft) narrow gauge railway from Dandot railway station to Chalisa Junction railway station. It was built to serve the Khewra Salt Mine.