The line began at Mandra Junction[1] and ended at Bhaun, a village about 12 kilometres (7.5 miles) south of the Chakwal city,[2] at the foothills of Salt Range.
[4] A railway line between Bhaun and Mandra was originally proposed to freight and ore from the mineral rich area of Chakwal, at the turn of the 20th century.
It is alleged that the Nawaz Sharif government allowed the dismantling to occur, as some members of the ruling government had intricate ties to the private road transport businesses of the region.
[7] In 1997, the Supreme Court took notice of the dismantling and a categorical assurance was given by Pakistan Railways to revive the rail section.
[8] In 2007, Pakistan Railways finalized a plan to reconstruct the line and resume rail services.