salt located north administrative subdivision pakistan rises pakistan largest oldest salt world second largest major tourist attraction drawing visitors year history dates discovery alexander troops started trading era main tunnel ground level developed mining engineer british rule independence took remains largest source salt country producing tons pure estimates reserves salt vary million tons million tons history known honour lord visited india salt range originated million years ago shallow sea followed geological movement formed salt range stretched kilometers miles salt reserves discovered crossed region indian campaign discovered alexander allies army horses found stones ailing horses army recovered rock salt stones era salt traded markets far away downfall empire taken commander chief shared management controlled held salt rule eaten source revenue time taken territory british developed found mining inefficient irregular narrow tunnels entrances movement labourers difficult dangerous supply water inside poor storage facility mined salt road difficult rocky terrain address problems government road built warehouses provided water supply improved entrances tunnels introduced better mechanism excavation salt penalties introduced control salt smuggling working 1930s 1940s found evidence insects period inside location situated khan district located miles accessed motorway kilometers miles interchange going road mountains salt range mineral rich mountain system extending river south river joins river meters feet sea level meters feet mountain entrance underground covers area km2 miles production estimates total reserves salt mines range million tons million tons raw form contains amounts moisture iron copper lead trace elements salt known salt red pink white transparent early years british rule produced tons increased tons fiscal years ending tons years ending systematic working introduced output reported tons salt amounts half pakistan total production rock salt rate output tunnel expected years comprises nineteen stories ground entrance extends meters mountains total length tunnels miles room pillar method mining half salt leaving remaining half support temperature inside remains year narrow gauge railway track laid british era bring salt rail cars salt pakistan best known rock salt cooking bath salt raw material industries including ash plant set salt decorative items like lamps statues exported united_states india european countries use rock salt artistic decorative items started era decorations introduced use cut art pieces rock salt found similar physical characteristics government pakistan decided sell seventeen profitable organizations including salt mines plan shelved operated government department tourism major tourist attraction visitors year earning considerable revenue visitors taken train numerous pools water inside built mining tunnels multi colored salt bricks years ago artistic carvings include replica statue accumulation crystals form muhammad script model great wall china mall road phases development tourist facilities attractions carried total cost million clinical ward beds established costing million treatment respiratory diseases salt therapy visit pakistan year event included train visit february pakistan railways started operating special trains tourists purpose railway station refurbished help private firm visitor attractions include meter high feet salt bridge pillars meters deep foot deep pond palace mirrors salt crystals light pink cafe projects established institute conducts surveys mining related courses miners establishes recently miners won important environmental case mining company provision drinking water water available residents salt coal nearby mining activity case internationally recognised important regard relationship humanity environment government pakistan looking ways increase country strategic store oil days forward proposal use mines store strategic oil reserves scientific reports confirmed feasibility proposal turned flooding torrential rain pakistan water nearby entered reaching depth feet blocking exits closed subsequently reopened remains open gallery
Khewra Salt Mine