Tandula Canal and Reservoir Construction Railway
Tandula Canal and Reservoir Construction Railway
The Tandula Canal project in Durg District, Central Provinces commenced in 1911. The Central Provinces Public Works Department(PWD) developed a proposal to protect a portion of the Durg district from flooding, it involved damming the Tandula and Sukha Rivers near their confluences and creating a reservoir that consisted of two separate portions of each river connected by a conduit. Both dams were earth; the Sukha River dam being 1.5 miles(2.4km) long with a maximum height of 71 feet(21.5 metres) and the Tandula River dam being 1.25 miles(2km) long, max. height 82 feet(25metres) [1].
The initial work was carried out by contractors Abbot Brothers, Jhansi but delays were caused by the insufficiency of tramway plant provided by the contractors. Some 450 donkeys were obtained in 1914 that improved the rate of progressed and it appears a 2ft/610mm narrow gauge(NG) locomotive was obtained in 1914 in connection with this project [1].
Abbot Brothers contract was terminated in 1916 and Central Provinces PWD took over; the Sukha reservoir being completed in 1918. During 1919 a large number of tipping wagons were obtained followed by two 2ft/610mm NG locomotives. The Tandula reservoir was completed in 1921. The project was finished and completely closed down in 1923 [1].
The extent and length of the NG track used during the construction has not been determined.
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 “Industrial Railways and Locomotives of India and South Asia” compliled by Simon Darvill. Published by ‘The Industrial Railway Society’ 2013. ISBN 978 1 901556 82-7. Available at http://irsshop.co.uk/India. Reference: Entry CT07 page 133
