Sibi-Zardalu Branch Line

Sibi-Zardalu Branch-Line
Native name	سبی-خوست برانچ لائن
Industry	Railways
Predecessor	Kandahar State Railway (1881-85)
Founded	1881;144 years ago
Area served	Balochistan
Services	Rail transport
Parent	North Western State Railway (1886-1905); North Western Railway (1905-1947); Pakistan Western Railway (1947-1971) ; Pakistan Railways (1971-Present)

Last updated September 02, 2025

Legend

				km
				0	Sibi Junction on Rohri-Chaman Railway Line
				12	Nari
				24	Tanduri
				35	Babar Kachh
				47	Kuchali
				67	Spintangi
				78	Sonari Halt
				93	Harnai
				104	Nakus
				118	Sharigh
				132	Khost
				140	Zardalu

The Sibi-Zardalu Branch Line, previously known as Kandahar State Railway opened in 1881, originally ran from Sibi and then on wards to Rindli, with the intention to reaching Quetta and onwards to Kandahar.^[1] However, the line never reached Kandahar.^[2] The Kandahar State Railway had its headquarters at Sibi, Balochistan. The Kandahar State Railway joined with the southern section of the Sind–Pishin State Railway and in 1886 amalgamated, with other railways, to form North Western State Railway (NWSR). The total length of this line is 140 kilometers with 10 railway stations. The railway line was closed in 2006 after a terrorist attack. Rehabilitation work started in 2016, and after several delays the railway line became partially-operational in 2023 up to Harnai.^[3]^[4]^[5]

History

From Sibi, the line ran southwest, skirting the hills to Rindli, and originally followed the course of the Bolan stream to its head on the plateau. The destructive action of floods, however, led to the abandonment of this alignment. The railway now follows the Mashkaf Valley. The Bolan Pass Railway construction enabled this NW route to be selected.

Locals Problems

When the railway line was closed in 2006 due to terrorist attacks, locals have been facing travelling problems. As there is no direct road which connects Sibi to Harnai and further, locals have to go to Quetta first and then they go to their original destination. Using the railway makes a much simpler journey for local people.

Stations

Abandoned Section

Personnel

Henry Francis Storey: 1880, Engineer-in-Chief of the Jacobabad section. 1881, appointed Engineer-in-Chief. 1883, promoted to the Superintendent of Way and Works.
Hugh Lewin Monk: deployed from the Railway Branch of the Public Works Department to Kandahar State Railway until 1881.

References

The spelling of Scinde, Punjaub & Delhi Railway is variable. Scinde and Punjaub are the spellings adopted in the legislation – see "Government Statute Law Repeals 2012" pages 134-135, paragraphs 3.78-3.83.^[6]

External links

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[1] "Stealth in Steel: Kandahar State Railway" by Salman Rashid March 28, 2013.; Retrieved 2 May 2016

[2] Google Books "Kipling and Afghanistan: A Study of the Young Author as Journalist Writing ..." by Neil K. Moran 2005 page 18; Retrieved 12 December 2015

[3] ttps://www.nation.com.pk/08-Aug-2023/governor-balochistan-inaugurates-restoration-of-sibi-harnai-railway-section

[4] ttps://www.dawn.com/news/1784873

[5] ttps://www.app.com.pk/national/locals-welcome-resumption-of-sibi-harnai-train-service-after-17-years/

[name-6] H.M. Government “Statute Law Repeals: Nineteenth Report : Draft Statute Law (Repeals) Bill; April 2012"; pages 134-135, paragraphs 3.78-3.83 Retrieved on 14 June 2016

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