COMMUNICATIONS

ROADS

At the beginning of British rule there were no made roads and no lines of traffic fit for wheels. The chief lines of communication were from Ahmadnagar and Kopargaon. From Ahmadnagar the chief lines were the Ahmadnagar-Nasik route, ninety-seven miles, passing through Rahuri, Sangamner and Sinnar; the Ahmadnagar-Kopargaon route, sixty-one miles, through Rahuri, Kolhar and Ashtagaon; the Ahmadnagar-Malegaon route, 119 miles, through Rahuri, Puntamba, Vaijapur and the Kasari pass, and thirty-two miles further to Dhulia; the Ahmadnagar-Aurangabad route, seventy-five miles, either through the Nimbedehera or the Jeur pass, and then through Pravara-Sangam and Velunja, and branch passing to Jalna; the Ahmadnagar-Sholapur route 129 miles, through Mandva, Mirajgaon, Pategaon, Chapadgaon, Karmala and Madha; the Ahmadnagar-Satara route, 120 miles, through Valki, the Sakli pass, Kothul, Kolgaon, Patas, Supa and Guluncha; the Ahmadnagar-Pune route, seventy-seven miles, through Akolner, Ranjangaon and Vaghote, and seventy-one miles further through Panvel to Bombay; the Ahmadnagar-Kalyan route, 130 miles, through Junnar and the Malsej pass, and twenty miles further to Bombay; the Ahmadnagar-Gangakhed route, 151 miles, through the Darur pass. From Kopargaon besides the Malegaon route a line passed towards Pune 119 miles. None of these routes were more than fair-weather tracks.

About 1850 a large traffic from Berar went to Bombay by the Imampur or Jeur pass in Ahmadnagar, and the post line from Bombay to Calcutta also crossed Ahmadnagar and went by the Jeur pass to Aurangabad. The Pune-Ahmadnagar road was unmetalled but bridged and fairly ditched. During the dry season it was a fair driving road; during the rains it was indifferent throughout, and at many points bad. It was built for military purposes as Ahmadnagar was the bead-quarters of the Bombay Artillery, and it had proved of great advantage to trade. Although it crossed a comparatively poor country, it was the chief feeder of the Pune-Panvel road. With its continuation through the Nizam's territory to Aurangabad it drew much of the traffic of Berar.

Much of Berar traffic was turned south at Ajanta from which it reached Bombay. The route from north Ahmadnagar which ran through Rahuri towards Nasik had a made portion of eleven miles. The Pune-Sholapur fair-weather road passed through the district. Another fair-weather road was from Sirur to Shrigonda. Two lines from Ahmadnagar west to Junnar and the Sahyadris were scarcely passable by carts, and were used by Vanjaris. In the south of the district there were no made roads and the badness of the roads and several small passes were serious barriers to internal traffic. The three leading lines for cart traffic were: east to west from Barsi to Karmala in Sholapur by Aslunde and Pedgaon towards Pune, from Balaghat and Kharda in Jamkhed by Nimbadi and Chambhar-gonde (Shrigonda) towards the north-west and south-east and from Ahmadnagar to Karmala and Sholapur along the right bank of the Sina. There were no cart-roads in Balaghat hills. At the beginning of the nineties of the last century the district contained 301 miles of provincial and 229 miles of local fund roads besides the roads of twenty-five miles which were charged to imperial revenue. Account of the six provincial roads existing then is given below:-

(i) The Imampur-Toka road, 27 miles in length, was bridged and metalled. There were ferry services near Toka in the rainy season.

(ii) The Ahmadnagar-Paithan road, of 52 miles, was unbridged but metalled for the first forty miles.

(iii) The Ahmadnagar-Sirur road, of 31 miles, which was a section of Ahmadnagar-Pune road, was metalled, drained and bridged.

(iv) The Ahmadnagar-Pimpalgaon road, of 60 miles, was a section of Pune-Malegaon road. It was unmetalled and unbridged.

(v) The Ahmadnagar-Daund road, of about 45 miles, was metalled, drained and bridged. There was a ferry service across Bhima near Daund.

(vi) The Ambeghadgaon-Nandur-Shingote road, of 31 miles, which was a section of Pune-Nasik road, was gravelled and partly bridged.

There were ferry services across the Pravara near Ambeghadgaon. The local fund roads existing in 1884 were as under:-

(1) Ahmadnagar-Shevgaon road of 42 miles, (2) Ahmadnagar-Karmala road of 48 miles, (3) Ahmadnagar-Aneghat road of 33 miles, (4) Ahmadnagar-Chinchodi road of 15 miles, (5) Shendi-Vamburi road of eight miles, (6) Nandur-Kolhar road of 28 miles, (7) Loni-Bori road of 58 miles, (8) Parner-Supa road of 7½ miles, and (9) Parner-Chincholi road of four miles.

Besides, there were some roads which served as connecting links with railway stations which were as under:-

(i) Kopargaon station road (3 miles), (ii) Rahate-Chitali (eleven miles), (iii) Nevasa-Belapur (22 miles), (iv) Loni-Belapur (15 miles), (v) Belapur station road (four miles), (vi) Khospuri-Vamburi (ten miles), (vii) Belvandi station road (three miles), and (viii) Shrigonda-Pimpri (four miles). [This account of roads in the last century is based on the description given in the old District Gazetteer of Ahmadnagar.]

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, and other highways. The Pune-Nasik road is the only national highway passing through this district.

Pune-Nasik Road: It covers a length of 38 miles and passes south to north in the district. The area through which it passes is plain and rich in sugarcane production. It enters the district in mile No. 58/2 and leaves the district for Nasik in mile No. 96/2. Before it enters the district slightly in the south-west it passes through Pune district. After its run in the district towards its northern border it enters the Nasik district. The road passes through the western portion of the district. It crosses the Kas river at village Bota in mile No. 60/7 where there is a bridge and also the Mula river in mile No. 66/3 where there is a well-built bridge. It also crosses the Pravara river near Sangamner over a bridge in mile No. 86/0. The surface of the road is asphalted and is always maintained as per the prescribed standard. The road touches the following places at the mile numbers indicated in brackets:-Bota (60), Ghargaon (66/3), Dolasne (72/3) and Sangamner (86).

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

¹ S. H.=State Highway. ² O. D. R.=Other District Road.

³ M.D. R.=Major District Road.

State Highways: The State highways are arterial roads of a State connecting other highways, head-quarters of districts and cities. They serve as main routes of traffic to and from major roads. They are maintained by the State Government and are generally bridged and metalled. There are seven State highways in the district, the account of which is given below.

Ghoti-Shevgaon Road: The total length of this road in the district is 112 miles. It leaves Nasik district in mile No. 16 to enter Ahmadnagar district, and passes from the west to east, through Akola, Sangamner, Shrirampur, Nevasa and Shevgaon talukas of the district. The road passes first through the hilly areas of Akola and Sangamner talukas but afterwards it finds its way through the plain and rich sugarcane-producing areas.

The road crosses the Pravara river between Kalas and Sangamner, and twice near Nevasa (in miles Nos. 104 and 108). Again it crosses the Dhora river near Shevgaon in mile No. 126. It is bridged near Sangamner and Nevasa where there is no interruption even during rainy days. A part of the road is asphalted while the remaining length is metalled, and is motorable throughout the year except for short interruptions during heavy rains near Ranad in mile No. 24, near Kalas in mile No. 46, and near Dhora in mile No. 126 where ferry services are available for crossing the rivers. The road crosses the Pune-Daund-Manmad broad-gauge railway line at Shrirampur in mile No. 82. It touches the following places at mile numbers shown in brackets against them:-Bari (16/2), Ranad (19), Waki (20), Rajur (29), Vithe (31), Akola (40), Kalas (47), Sangamner (53), Wad-gaon (57), Nimgaon Jali (64), Loni (72), Babhaleshwar (74), Shrirampur (82), Belapur (84), Taklibhan (94), Nevasa (105), Handinimgaon (108), Kukana (116/2), Joharpur (121/7) and Shevgaon (128).

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

¹ N. H.=National Highway. ² S. H.=State Highway.

³ M. D. R. = Major District Road.

Ahmadnagar-Paithan Road: This highway serves as a connecting link between Aurangabad and Ahmadnagar. It starts from Ahmadnagar city and runs in the north-east direction, passing through the hilly tracts for about five miles between Ahmadnagar and Shevgaon. It does not cross any major river or nallah during its course. It has a metalled surface and is motorable throughout the year.

The road touches the following places in its course, the mile numbers being shown against each of them:-Bhingar 2, Kaudgaon 12, Karanji 16, Tisgaon 24, Dhamangaon 32, Amrapur 34, Shevgaon 40 and Ghotan 45. The following other roads either take off from it or are crossed by it:-

¹ S. H.=State Highway. ² M. D. R.=Major District Road.

Pune-Ahmadnagar-Aurangabad Road: This State highway serves as a connecting link between Pune, Ahmadnagar and Aurangabad districts. The total length of the road is about 72 miles and four furlongs in the district. It runs in a north-easterly direction. It enters Ahmadnagar district in mile No. 43 near Gavan village. It leaves the district border at mile No. 115/4 and enters into Aurangabad district. The road crosses rivers and big nallahs at six places during its stretch where there are well-built bridges. It crosses the Godavari river near village Toka in mile No. 115/4 where there is a well-built bridge. The road from mile No. 43 to mile No. 69 has a cement-concrete surface and the remaining length is asphalted. It is motorable throughout the year. It crosses the Daund-Manmad broad-gauge railway line near Ahmadnagar and touches the following places during its course:-Degavan (mile No. 44), Kamargaon (mile No. 59), Chas (mile No. 62/7), Ahmadnagar (mile No. 74), Shendi (mile No. 76), Khospuri (mile No. 84/0), Ghodegaon (mile No. 89), Vadala (mile No. 94) and Toka (mile No. 115/4).

The following roads either take off from it or are crossed by this road:-

¹ M. D. R.=Major District Road. ² S. H.=State Highway.

Manmad-Daund Road: Starting from Manmad in Nasik district the road enters the northern boundary of Ahmadnagar district in mile No. 42 and covers a total length of 111 miles. It leaves for Daund in Pune district at mile No. 153. Thus this road serves as a connecting link between the three districts and runs almost parallel to the Daund-Manmad railway line. The road runs from the north to south direction and passes through the middle of the district.

This road crosses the Daund-Manmad broad-gauge railway line at three places during its course, viz., in mile No. 46, mile No. 96 and mile No. 139. It crosses river Godavari near Kopargaon, the Pravara near Kolhar, the Mula near Rahuri and the Bhima near the district border where there are bridges. It crosses a major nallah near Rahata where the construction of a bridge is in progress.

The road surface upto mile No. 100 is cement-concrete and the remaining length of the road is black-topped. It serves the traffic needs of many sugar factories and gul manufacturers. This road passes through the factory area and therefore it is always crowded by bullock-carts and lorries. It is motorable throughout the year except for some interruptions at small nallahs during heavy rains.

The road touches the following places during its course:-

Kopargaon (mile No. 49), Shirdi (mile No. 59), Rahata (mile No. 62), Pimparinirmal (mile No. 66), Babhaleshwar (mile No. 70), Kolhar (mile No. 75), Guha (mile No. 78), Rahuri (mile No. 88), Ahmadnagar (mile No. 110), Arangaon (mile No. 115) and Kashti (mile No. 149).

The following other roads either take off from it or are crossed by it:-

¹ M. D. R.=Major District Road. ² S. H.=State Highway.

Bassein-Kalyan-Junnar-Ahmadnagar-Bhir Road: The road passes through Pune district and enters the western border of Ahmadnagar district in mile No. 120 and then leaves the district to enter Bhir district at mile No. 171/6 on the eastern boundary. It traverses through Parner and Ahmadnagar talukas and runs in the west to east direction upto Ahmadnagar and then takes a turn to the southeast. The road crosses a number of small nallahs some of which are unbridged. The road from mile No. 120 to mile No. 153 is cement-concrete except for the portion of three miles from mile Nos. 148 to 151 which is asphalted. The part of the road from Ahmadnagar to Bhir is black-topped and is motorable throughout the year with short interruptions during heavy rains.

The road touches the following places during its stretch, viz., Takali-Dhokeshwar in mile No. 124, Bhalwani in mile No. 142/5 and Ahmadnagar in mile No. 154.

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

S.H.=State Highway.

Ahmadnagar-Sholapur Road: The road starts from Ahmadnagar and runs south-eastwards in the district. It serves as a connecting link between Ahmadnagar and Sholapur districts. The total length of the road in the district is 50 miles. It runs through Ahmadnagar, Shrigonda and Karjat talukas, and crosses a number of small nallahs which are unbridged. The surface of some portion of the road is cement-concrete, while the rest is asphalted. The road is well maintained to cope with the increasing traffic. It is motorable in all seasons.

The road touches the following places during its course, viz., Ghogargaon, Mirajgaon, Mahi and Chapadgaon. It crosses the Madhevadgaon-Shrigonda-Bhir state highway at mile No. 39.

Madhevadgaon-Shrigonda-Bhir Road: The road emanates from the Manmad-Daund state highway in mile No. 144 of the latter and passes for a distance of 51/9 miles in the district. It runs towards the east through Shrigonda, Karjat and Jamkhed talukas. It enters Bhir district after crossing the eastern border of Ahmadnagar district. An approach road to Karjat emanates from this road in mile No. 26/2. Karjat is a taluka place twelve miles away from this point. The road is fully bridged and its surface is partly metalled and partly asphalted. It is motorable throughout the year.

The road crosses the Daund-Manmad railway line in mile No. 2. It touches the following places during its course at mile numbers shown in brackets:-Shrigonda (3/0), Adhalgaon (11), Walwad (21), Chincholi (26), Mahi (32), Arangaon (36) and Jamkhed (47/7).

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

Arjuni-Pedgaon-Rashin-Chilewadi Road: This is a major district road which is proposed to be upgraded to state highway standard. It starts from Arjuni and runs in a south-easterly direction in the district. It enters Sholapur district after crossing Chilewadi in mile No. 29. The road is surfaced with murum and is motorable throughout the year except during heavy rains. It crosses a number of small streams where there are no bridges.

It touches the following places in its stretch, viz., Pedgaon, Jabalpur, Bharadgaon, Rashin and Chilewadi.

Nevasa-Khadka Road: The length of this road is only three miles whereby Nevasa is connected with Khadka. It is a link road to Pune-Aurangabad road and is metalled and motorable throughout the year.

Sangamner-Talegaon-Kopargaon Road: The road emanates from Ghoti-Shevgaon state highway at Sangamner, the taluka head-quarters, and ends at Kopargaon. The road runs towards north for a distance of 34.80 kilometres. The surface of the road is of water-bound macadam and is motorable throughout the year. The road joins two industrial and trade centres and taluka head-quarters and touches Sangamner, Nilwade, Talegaon and Kopargaon.

Pargaon-Parner-Pimpalgaon Road: The road starts from Pargaon village in Shrigonda taluka and runs in northward direction upto Pimpalgaon where it meets the Pune-Nasik national highway. The road passes through Shrigonda, Parner and Sangamner talukas. The road is of water-bound macadam surface and motorable throughout the year except some interruptions during rainy season. The road crosses Daund-Manmad broad-gauge railway line near Pargaon. The road also crosses Pune-Aurangabad state highway at Degavan. The road touches the following places during its course, viz., Pargaon, Kedgaon, Degavan, Parner, Manur, Shewar, Sakur and Pimpalgaon.

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

Parner-Waghunde-Visapur Road: The road emanates from Parner, the taluka head-quarters, and ends at Visapur railway station. Its total length in the district is 34.59 kilometres. The road runs towards the south-east upto Visapur. The surface of the road is partly of water-bound macadam and partly of murum. The road is not motorable in rainy days. It touches the following places, viz., Parner, Waghunde and Visapur.

Kopargaon-Puntamba-Shrirampur-Belapur-Kanhegaon Road: The road emanates from the Manmad-Daund state highway at Kopargaon. and runs for 54.91 kilometres upto Kanhegaon where it meets the same state highway. The road runs through Kopargaon and Shrirampur talukas. It crosses Manmad-Daund broad-gauge railway line near Puntamba and Belapur. The road also crosses the Ghoti-Shevgaon state highway near Belapur. Its surface is black-topped and the road is motorable throughout the year. The road touches the following places during its course, viz., Kopargaon, Sangve, Gondegaon, Shiras-gaon, Shrirampur, Belapur, Deolali and Kanhegaon.

Loni-Talegaon-Nanaj-Nandura Road: The road emanates from Ghoti-Shevgaon highway at Loni and runs in north-west direction upto the district border. Its length in the district is 39.60 kilometres. The road enters Nasik district at its north-west border and is motorable throughout the year. It touches the following places during its stretch, viz., Loni, Gogalgaon, Talegaon, Nanaj, Pimpli and Nandura. The road crosses the Kopargaon-Sangamner major district road near Talegaon.

Jamkhed-Nandnaj-Karmala Road: The road starts from Shrigonda-Bhir state highway at Jamkhed, the taluka head-quarters, and runs southwards upto the district border for a length of 24 kilometres. It enters Sholapur district in Karmala taluka. The road upto Nandnaj is of water-bound macadam surface and motorable throughout the year. The road-length from Nandnaj to district border is unmetalled. It touches the following places, viz., Jamkhed, Nandnaj, Bokri, Sathephal and Javale.

Parner-Alkuti Road: The road emanates from Parner and takes its direction westwards for a length of 30.40 kilometres. The road is of murum surface. It touches the following places, viz., Parner, Vadzire and Alkuti.

Karjat-Karmala Road: The road emanates from Karjat, the taluka head-quarters, and runs southwards to enter Karmala taluka in Sholapur district. Its length in the district is 13.69 kilometres. The surface of the road is of murum, and is motorable only in fair-weather season. It touches the following places, viz., Karjat and Ambejalgaon.

Tisgaon-Pathardi-Mohoghat Road: The road emanates from Ahmadnagar-Paithan state highway near Tisgaon and runs eastwards upto Pathardi, and from thence upto district border in south-east direction to enter Bhir district. The total length of the road upto the district border is 27 kilometres. The road joins Ahmadnagar with Bhir district. Part of the road from Tisgaon is of water-bound macadam while the rest is of murum surface. It is motorable throughout the year except some interruptions during monsoon.

Shrigonda-Kashti Road: The road emanates from Shrigonda-Bhir state highway at Shrigonda and runs southwards upto Kashti where it meets the Manmad-Daund state highway. Its length in the district is 12.60 kilometres. It crosses the Daund-Manmad broad-gauge railway line near Kashti. The road traverses the plain countryside. Its surface is water-bound macadam and is motorable throughout the year.

Karjat-Chincholi Road: The road starts from Karjat and runs northwards for a length of 10 kilometres to meet Shrigonda-Bhir state highway at Chincholi. The road passes through plain country. The surface of the road is water-bound macadam and is motorable throughout the year. The road touches Karjat, Patharvad and Chincholi.

Pathardi-Amrapur Road: The road emanates from Pathardi and runs northwards for a length of 17 kilometres upto Amrapur and meets the Ahmadnagar-Paithan state highway. The surface of the road is water-bound macadam and is motorable throughout the year. The road touches Pathardi, Sakegaon and Amrapur.

Details of the remaining major district roads are given in the following statement:-

Other District Roads: Other district roads are usually approach roads connecting villages and towns in the district. They are subject to frequent interruptions to traffic during the rains and have murum surface. They are designed to serve taluka places and market centres. The following statement gives details of some of them:-

N.A.=Not available.

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