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==History==
[[File: Solani River Aquaduct Construction Railway -1.png|thumb|Solani River Aquaduct Construction Railway]]*'''1846:''' One of India's first railways opened in 1846. It was constructed to convey materials for a major irrigation project with the aqueduct being constructed to carry the Upper Ganga Canal across the Solani River and a minor stream at [[Roorkee]], a cantonnement in Saharanpur District, [[United Provinces Districts|United Provinces]]. Major Baker in writing to the Military Board on the 22nd August 1846. Pointed out the necessity for using rails and wagons on the northern side of the aqueduct. He requested the ironwork to be dispatched from England for a number of wagons whilst the timber would be procured locally. This was to move the earth from distant cuttings to build the embankments for the aqueduct. The full length of which is 15,688 feet with a base of 100 feet 12 inches below the surface of the canal <ref name=IOR>British Library India Office Records V/27/733/10 “Report on the Ganges Canal Works from commencent until the opening of the canal in 1854” by Colonel Sir Proby T. Cautley, K. C. B. F. R. S.; Vol II, Chapter IX Page 419 to 428</ref>.
Thomason College at [[Roorkee]] was established for Military Engineers studying to join the [[Public Works Department]] and Headquarters for the [[Bengal Sappers and Miners|Bengal Sappers]] and Royal Engineers in [[Bengal]]. and linked to the construction of the Upper Ganga Canal, the most important irrigation project being undertaken at the time. In his proposal submitted to Government, the Lt. Governor James Thomason, had justified the location on the basis that the establishment forming at Roorkee, near the Solani Aqueduct on the Ganga Canal, afforded particular facilities for instructing Civil Engineers.<ref>[http://rurkiu.tripod.com/uor/wtandm.html Water Resources Development: The Role of Roorkee] University of Roorkee</ref>.
