COMMUNICATIONS

ROADS

National Highways: National highways are main trunk roads of national importance running through the length and breadth of the country. They together form a system connecting major cities, capitals of States, major ports and railways. There is only one national highway passing through Akola district viz., Nagpur-Dhulia-Bombay road.

Nagpur-Dhulia-Bombay Road.—This road enters Akola district from Amravati district at 179.62 km and runs from east to west through the Murtizapur, Akola and Balapur tahsils for a total distance of about 143 km. Formerly the alignment of this road was as under. After passing through Amravati district it entered Akola to run towards the south-west upto Kherda in 208.20 km. from where it ran towards the north-west direction upto Murtizapur in 225.71 km. From Murtizapur it ran towards the west to enter Buldhana district at 300.74 km. The Loni (in Amravati district) to Murtizapur alignment via Kherda as it existed formerly, was a very long route involving longer travel time which was incompatible with the requirements of quick traffic on a national highway. Hence a direct link road of about 30 km., was constructed recently from Loni to Murtizapur of which a length of about 29 km., is in Akola and the rest in Amravati district. This new link road has saved a travel distance of 17.70 km.

The alignment of the present road is almost from east to west and runs parallel to the Howrah-Nagpur-Bombay railway line. This road passes through Nagpur, Wardha and Amravati districts before entering Akola, and then goes towards Buldhana, Jalgaon and Dhulia districts. During its stretch it touches Mana, Kurum, Kharbadi, Murtizapur, Katepurna, Kurankhed. Borgaon, Babhulgaon, Shivni, Akola, Ridhora, Balapur and several villages in the district. It crosses the Murtizapur-Yeotmal narrow gauge railway line about three kilometres away from Murtizapur and Khandwa-Hingoli railway route near Akola. It crosses or meets the following important roads at the point of junctions given.

S. H.: —State Highways

M. D. R.:—Major District Roads

There is an aerodrome (air strip) at Akola which is not far away from this road.

This highway is fully bridged, the major bridges being constructed across the following rivers:

1. Uma river submersible bridge,

2. Kamalganga river high level bridge,

3. Katepurna river bridge,

4. Dalambi Kolambi nalla bridge,

5. Morna river bridge,

6 Bhuikund river bridge,

7. Man river bridge,

The bridges on the Uma and the Kamalganga rivers are on the newly constructed link road. This highway is motorable throughout the year except for an interruption to traffic for a few hours during heavy rains, and has a black-topped surface

State Highways: State highways have been defined as all other main trunk or arterial roads of a State connecting with national highways or state highways of adjacent States, district headquarters and important cities within the State, and serving as main arteries of traffic to and from district roads. These are maintained by State Government and are generally bridged, metalled and motorable throughout the year except that sometimes where there are causeways or submersible bridges, traffic may be interrupted in the monsoon for very short periods. State highways usually have connections with national highways. The following state highways pass through Akola district.

Jalgaon-Akot-Daryapur Road.—This road starts from Jalgaon in Buldhana district and ends at Daryapur in Amravati. Its length of 40.63 km., in Akola district is divided into two sections as under (1) Akot-Daryapur road with a length of 10.66 km., upto the district border and (2) Akot-Hiwarkhed road with a length of 29.97 km.

(1) Akot-Daryapur Section. —This section of the road starts from the southern side of Akot town and goes to Daryapur in Amravati district after crossing the district border. There is a submersible bridge at Pather nalla and an approach road leading to it from the village Sawara at a distance of 9.85 km. from Akot town has been constructed. The road has a black lopped surface and is motorable throughout the year. The road crosses a number of nallas during its course over which submersible bridges have been constructed.

(2) Akot-Hiwarkhed Section.—This section takes off from Akot-Harisal road outside Akot town, goes in a westward direction and almost runs parallel to the Khandwa-Hingoli railway line. This road touches Aregaon village in 9.65 km. The approach road to Aregaon railway station emanating from this road is about 1.60 Km., in length. Hiwarkhed village is in 20.31 km. The further length of 9.65 km., of this road upto the district border is of kachho type. A length of 2.61 km., of this road from Akot town is black-topped. The rest of the length of 17.70 km., upto Hiwarkhed is water bound macadam. There are a number of unbridged crossings on this road.

Chikhli-Khamgaon-Shegaon-Deori-Road.—This road enters Akola from Buldhana district in 4.82 km. from Shegaon and meets Akola-Akot road at Deori in 44.85 km. Its kilometreage is counted from Shegaon in Buldhana. Lohara village is about 9.65 km. away from the road side. There is one bridge in 8.65 km., on the. Man river. This road has a black-topped surface. The total length of this road is 40.03 km. in the district. There is a submersible arched bridge on Purna river in 21.27 km. where during monsoon traffic is interrupted once or twice for 10 to 24 hours.

This road touches the following places in its stretch viz., Adsul in 23.13 km., Panchgavan in 28.36 and Raudala in 43.24 km.

Malegaon-Mehkar Road.—The total length of this road in the district is 27.15 km. This road is a part of the old Nagpur Dak line when it served as the chief thoroughfare between Nagpur and Jalna and thence to Poona. The road emanates from Malegaon on the Akola-Hingoli road in km. 61.15 and runs west to Mehkar in Buldhana. This road enters Buldhana district at km 27.15. The complete length of the road is black-topped.

This road touches the following places in its stretch viz., Wadep in 3.42 km., Pangri Khuta in 7.44 km., Dongarkinhi in 10.26 km., Chandas in 12.87 km., Kalamgavan in 16.09 km., Kenwad in 19.31 km, and Pimpri in 26.75 km.

Lonar-Loni-Risod-Washim-Pusad Road.—This road starts from Lonar in Buldhana district passes through Akola and terminates at Pusad in Yeotmal district. The total length of this road in the district is about 93 km, and is divided into three sub-sections viz., Lonar-Risod section, Risod-Washim section and Washim-Pusad section.

1. Lonar-Risod section: —The total length of this section is 25 km. and is water bound macadam. The road is motorable throughout the year. This road starts from Lonar and runs towards the east upto Risod.

2. Risod-Washim section.—This section starts from Risod village. The length of 37.20 km. from Risod is water bound macadam and the remaining length of 2.80 km., is black-topped. The total length of this road is 40 km. This road is motorable throughout the year. It crosses a number of small streams by bridges.

3. Washim-Pusad section.—The length of this road is 28 km. The first length of 3.31 km. runs as part of the Washim-Kherda road. The Washim-Pusad road therefore actually starts from 3.31 km of Washim-Kherda road. The complete length of this road is black-topped. This road is motorable throughout the year, and touches in its stretch only one village viz., Pimpalgaon in 16.89 km. There is an approach road from Ansingh village to this road in 20.92 km.

Akola-Akot-Harisal Road.—This road starts from Akola, runs towards the north upto the district border via Akot and enters Amravati district. The Akola-Akot section covers a distance of 44.25 km., while the Akot to Harisal section in the district is 14.85 km. It traverses the Akola and Akot tahsils, and runs almost parallel to the Khandwa-Hingoli railway line. It crosses the Shahapur river where there is a submersible drain. It also crosses the Purna river near Kinkhed over a good bridge.

The Chikhli-Khamgaon-Shegaon-Deori State highway meets this road at 32.58 km. (near Patsul). The Akot-Anjangaon State highway starts from this road at Akot.

The road touches the following places during its stretch: Gandhigram (Wagholi) in 16.89 km., Kinkhed, Patsul, Akot in 44.25 km., Mohala and Popatkheda. The Akola-Akot section is black-topped, while the Akot-Harisal section is water bound macadam. Both the sections are motorable throughout the year.

Akola-Hingoli-Hyderabad Road.—The total length of this road is about 99 km. This road starts from Akola station and crosses an over-head bridge between 0.42 km. and 0.80 km. of the road before it leaves Akola town. It crosses the Morna river in 2.61 km., over which there is a high level R. C. C. slab bridge. The Akola-Khamgaon road branches off from this road near the fort in old Akola town in 3.11 km. The first 4.82 km. length of this road is within municipal limits.

This road traverses the Akola Balapur and Washim tahsils during its north to south stretch and runs almost parallel to the Khandwa-Akola-Hingoli railway line. It then enters Parbhani district and serves as a line of through traffic to Parbhani and Nanded districts and further to Hyderabad. There is a small ghat on this road with a ruling gradient of 1 in 25 from 37.82 km. to 40 km.

It touches the following important places. Patur (32.18 km.), Medsi (48.48 km.), Malegaon (61.15 km.), Washim (83.68 km.), and Rajgaon (91.73 km.). The following roads either take off from it or are crossed by it.

This road crosses the Morna river for the second time in 50.09 km. over a high level bridge, and also the Penganga in 99.37 km. where there is a submersible bridge. It enters Parbhani district after crossing the Penganga. This road has a black-topped surface and is motorable throughout the year except during high floods of the Penganga.

Akola-Mangrulpir-Manora-Digras Road.—The total length of this road in the district is 104.40 km. This road consists of three sub-sections viz.,

(i) Akola-Mangrulpir section,

(ii) Mangrulpir-Manora section and

(iii) Manora-Digras section.

(i) Akola-Mangrulpir section :—The total length of this road is 60.55 km. It starts from Akola railway station and runs south-eastwards in the district. The Khandwa-Hingoli metre gauge railway line runs parallel to this road upto Barshitakli. It crosses Kanheri nalla near the village Kunkeri in 9.65 km., Barshitakli nalla in 17.70 km., near Barshitakli village, and Katepurna river in 32.18 km. There is a submersible bridge over the Katepurna river. In Mangrulpir tahsil this road crosses Adan river over which also there is a submersible bridge. It also crosses Khandala nalla in 43.32 km., and Hasai nalla in 49.93 km. The complete length of the road is black-topped. The road is motorable throughout the year except during heavy monsoon near Kanheri nalla, Barshitakli nalla, Khandala nalla and Hasai nalla.

This road touches the following places during its stretch in the district: Kanheri in 9.65 km., Barshitakli in 17.70 km., Shelu in 41.88 km., Hasai in 49.93 km., Balod in 51.54 km., and Mangrulpir in 60.35 km.

The following roads either take off from it or are crossed by it.

N. H. =National Highway.

(ii) Mangrulpir-Manora section.—The total length of this road is 26.95 km. The length of this road from 1.60 km. to 12.87 km., passes through hilly tract whereas the rest passes through plain country. This road crosses Jogaldari nalla where the traffic is held up during heavy rains. The first 2.81 km., length of the road is black-topped and the remaining is water bound macadam. The road does not cross any road during its course in the district.

It touches Sakhardah village in 14.48 km.

(iii) Manora-Digras section.—The length of this road up to the district border is 16.90 km. The road has water bound macadam surface. This road connects Digras, an important trade centre in Yeotmal district, with Akola district. It is molorable throughout the year.

Akot-Anjangaon road.—The total length of this road in the district upto the district border is 13.27 km. The road surface is black-topped and motorable throughout the year. This road traverses from west to east in the district. The following roads either take off from it or are crossed by it.

Washim-Mangrulpir-karanja road.—The total length of this road in the district is 64.60 km. The road takes off from 83.62 km. of the Akola-Hingoli road at Washim. Upto 4.82 km., this road runs north-eastwards and then proceeds northwards towards Mangrulpir, and upto Karanja north-eastwards. The road has a black-topped surface and is motorable throughout the year, except for minor interruptions during heavy rains near Kalamba nalla and Majori nalla where there are submersible bridges.

This road touches the following places during its course viz. Kalamba village in 8.04 km., Bitoda village in 17.70 km., Dhanora village in 25.74 km., Warud irrigation tank in 35.40 km., Majori village in 44.45 km., and Siwani village in 48.88 km.

The following roads cither Lake off from it or are crossed by it.

Yeotmal-Murtizapur-Daryapur road.—The total length of this road is 38.20 km., in the district and is divided into the following throe sub-sections viz.,

(i) Darwha-Karanja section,

(ii) Karanja-Murtizapur section,

(iii) Murtizapur-Daryapur section.

(i) Darwha-Karanja section :—The length of this road is 11 km. It starts from Darwha town in Yeotmal district and runs north-westwards almost parallel to the Murtizapur-Yeotmal railway line. The complete length of this road is black-topped. This road touches only Somthana village.

The following roads either take off from it or are crossed by it.

(ii) Karanja-Murtizapur road:—The total length of this road is 13 km. This road runs parallel to the railway line upto Murtizapur and it traverses northwards in its stretch in the district. The complete lengh of this road is black-topped and the road is motorable throughout the year. It touches only one village viz., Kherda.

The following roads either take off from it or are crossed by it.

(iii) Murtizapur-Daryapur section:—This State highway starts from Murtizapur and runs northwards to reach Daryapur. It covers a total length of 14.20 km., in Akola district and then enters Amravati district. The only important village it touches is Lakhpuri in 13.27 km.

It crosses the Calcutta-Bombay broad gauge railway line and Murtizapur-Yeotmal narrow gauge railway line in 2.21 km. The road is partly bridged. The major bridge is located in 14.78 km., on the Purna river. The first 2.71 km length of this road is black-topped and the remaining 12.07 km., length is water bound macadam.

Major District Roads: Major district roads are roughly of the same specifications as State highways, except that they may not be asphalted or fully bridged. These roads connect important centres of trade and commerce with railways and highways.

There are eight important major district roads under the Akola Zilla Parishad for maintenance the account of which is given below [Information about the rest of the roads is not available.]:—

(1) Kinkhed-Dahihanda road, (2) Adsul-Telhara road, (3) Telhara-Malegaon-Warwat-Bakel road, (4) Karanja-Poha road, (5) Balapur-Patur road, (6) Malegaon-Shelu road, (7) Malegaon-Shirpur road and (8) Babulgaon-Alegaon road.

Kinkhed-Dahihanda Road.—This road starts from Akola-Akot State highway in km 24 and runs eastwards upto the district border. It traverses through plain countryside and covers a distance of 14.20 km. It crosses a small nalla in its strech as also the Khandwa-Hingoli metre gauge railway line. It has a water bound macadam surface and is not motorable during heavy rains.

Adsul-Telhara Road.—The road starts from Adsul village on Akot-Shegaon-Chikhli State highway in km. 24.12. It runs northwards till Telhara town. Its total length is 15 km. It passes through plain country. There is one minor bridge on this road in km. 2. The road is fully black-topped and is motorable throughout the year. It touches the following places viz., Talegaon, Manatra and Deulgaon during its course in the district.

Karanja-Poha Road.—The road starts from Washim-Karanja State highway in km. 64 and runs towards west upto Poha. The total length of the road is 5.83 km. It is a section of the Karanja-Wadegaon major district road.

Telhara-Malegaon-Warwat-Bakel Road.—This road starts from Telhara town and runs westwards till the district border. The total length of this road in Akola district is 6.44 km. Male-gaon-Danapur village road takes off from this road at Malegaon. The surface of this road is water bound macadam and is not motorable during monsoon season.

Balapur-Patur Road.—This road starts from Nagpur-Dhulia-Bombay national highway 1.64 km. away from Balapur. It runs south-eastwards till it joins the Akola-Hingoli state highway in 32 km., at Patur village. It covers a distance of 30.17 km. There are two submersible major bridges, one in 18.6 km., the other in 32.20 km. The full length of the road is black-topped and is motorable throughout the year. It crosses two roads viz., (1) Chani-Wadgaon which belongs to the category of other district roads in km. 15, and (2) Babulgaon-Alegaon, a major district road, in km. 24.

Malegaon-Shelu Road.--This road starts from Malegaon on Akola-Hingoli state highway. It covers a length of 33 km. It does not cross any road during its course. There is one major bridge under construction in km. 12 across Katepurna river. It passes through sparse forest area for some of its length. It has a water bound macadam surface and is unusable for traffic during heavy rains. The work of black-topping of this road is under progress. It crosses Khandwa-Hingoli metre gauge railway line in km. 12. It touches the following villages in its course viz., Jaulka, Vadori kh. and Kinhiraja.

Malegaon-Shirpur Road.— The road starts from Malegaon where the Malegaon-Mehkar and Akola-Hingoli state highways meet. It runs southwards till the Shirpur village and covers a total length of 8 km. It neither crosses any road nor nalla during its course. The surface of the road is water bound macadam. It is not motorable during heavy rains.

Babulgaon-Alegaon Road.—This road emanates from Balapur-Patur winch is a major district road in km. 24 and takes its direction towards south upto Alegaon village. The total length of the road is 12.67 km. The surface of the road is water bound macadam and is not motorable in monsoon. The work of black-topping of this road is in progress.

Other District Roads : These roads are usually approach roads connecting important villages and towns in the district. They are designed to serve tahsil places, market centres and education centres in the district.

The account of the following other district roads under the Akola Zilla Parishad is given below.

(1) Paras-Balapur road, (2) Wadegaon-Chani road, (3) Paras-Nimkarda road, (4) Pinjar-Kherda road, (5) Dhanaj-kh.-Dhanaj Bk. road, (6) Somthana-Umbarda road, (7) Approach road to Akot railway station, (8) Mahan-Pinjar road and (9) Akola-Apatapa road.

paras-Balapur Road.—This road starts from Nagpur-Dhulia-Bombay national highway at Balapur and takes its direction northwards to connect Paras village on the Bombay-Nagpur broad gauge railway line. It covers a length of 4.82 km., and passes through plain country.

Somthana-Umbarda Road.—The road starts from Darwha-Karanja stale highway in km. 25.80 at Somthana and runs north-eastwards to join Umbarda village. It covers a length of 4.43 km. It has a water bound macadam surface. The traffic on the road is interrupted during heavy monsoon.

Approuch road to Akot Railway Station.- -The road starts from Akola-Akot-Harisal state highway to join the Akot railway station on Khandwa-Hingoli metre gauge line. The total length of tins road is O.6O km. It has a water bound macadam surface and is molorable throughout the year. The road passes through the Akot municipal area.

Mahan-Pinjar Road. -The road emanates from Akola-Digras.-late highway at village Mahan in km. 32 and runs to the northeast to join pinjar village located at the junction of Pinjar-Barshi Tukli, Pinjar-Kherda and Poha-Pinjar road. The total length of this road is 12 km. The entire length of this road is water bound macadam. The traffic on the road is obstructed during monsoon. Black-topping of this road is under progress It touches in its stretch Hatola and Bhendgaon villages.

Akota-Apatapa Road.— The road starts from Akola-Akot road in km. 1. It runs towards north-east to join Apatapa village. It covers a length of 15 km. and runs through plain country. The surface of the road is water bound macadam and is molorable only in the fair weather season. It touches the following villages viz, Kharab and Ghusar.

Wadegaon-Chani Road.—The road starts from Balapur-Patur major district road in km. 15 at Wadegaon and runs south-westwards to connect Cham village. Its total length is 12.80 km. It passes through plain country. It has a water bound macadam surface and is unusable for traffic in heavy rains. It touches the village Swati during its course.

Paras-Nimkarda Road.—The road starts from Paras and runs north-eastwards to join Akola-Dabaki-Gaigaon road at Nimkarda. It covers a length of 4 km. It runs through plain country. It crosses the Nagpur-Bornbay broad-gauge railway line. The surface of the road is water bound macadam and is not motorable during rainy season.

Pinjar-kherda Road. -The road starts from Pinjar village and runs towards east to join Kherda village which is located at the junction of Murtizapur-Darwha and Kherda-Amravati roads at a distance of 67 km. from Amravati. It covers a length of 23 km. Pinjar village is connected by Poha-Pinjar and Pinjar-Barshitakli roads both of which are under construction The road crosses Murtizapur-Yeotmal metre gauge railway line near Kherda village. It has a water bound macadam surface and is motorable throughout the year. It touches the village Kajleshwar during its course.

Dhanaj Kh. to Dhanaj Bk. Road.—The road starts from Kherda-Amravati state highway from village Dhanaj Kh. It runs cast-southwards to terminate at Dhanaj Bk. It covers a length of 8 km. It has a water bound macadam surface and is not motorable during heavy rains. It crosses the river Bembla over which the work of construction of a bridge is in progress. The road touches the village Amboda.

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