Photo 146/1(265b)

After an acrimonious controversy as to the respective merits of the route for a railway from Bellary to the coast at Karwar (all in British India) or one via Castle Rock to Mormagao, the latter was selected, and is now known as The Western India Portuguese Railway. The concession included the proviso that the Indian Government would construct no other lines to the coast within forty miles on either side of Mormagao, thus ruling out either Karwar or Vengurla. The Lisbon Government agreed to pay 6% on the capital required for a fixed term of years after which the whole concern lapsed to the Portuguese Government, which it did about 1957. Work was commenced in1882 and connection made with Indian railway system in 1887.

Mr Ernest Sawyer was engineer in chief with Mr Good in charge of the harbour works. Presumable it is he in the picture. The elevator trolleys brought laterite blocks from the quarry on the plateau. 10,000 people of all races and creed were employed at Mormagao, and another 6,000 at Sanvordhem at the foot of the ghauts.