BANKING TRADE AND COMMERCE

WATER-BORNE TRADE

Ports have been important channels of trade and commerce in Kolaba from old times. They were much more important then, than they are to-day. There were very few made roads which could be used for goods traffic for the entire year. Through traffic in the rainy season was well-nigh impossible. Water trans port, therefore, was the cheapest and the most readily available means of goods transport. Since the beginning of the second quarter of this century their former importance as channels of trade is dwindling. This might be due to availability of quicker road transport, automobiles, improvement of roads and bridges and the damage done to ports by silting. At many a port the accumulated silt obstructs steamers from entering.

However, a considerable quantum of import and export trade is carried through these ports to Bombay and other ports on the west coast. The following statements give the volume and value of imports and exports from the ports in this district:―

TABLE No. 21

QUANTITY AND VALUE OF IMPORTS IN VARIOUS PORTS OF KOLABA DISTRICT.

[Figures of quantity in tons except as otherwise specified and of value in rupees.]

continued..

Figures of quantity are exclusive of the quantity of tea, mineral oils and tiles.

N. A. = Not available.

TABLE No. 22

VOLUME AND VALUE OF EXPORTS FROM VARIOUS PORTS OF KOLABA DISTRICT.

[Figures of quantity in tons except as otherwise specified and of value in rupees.]

continued..

*Number of coconuts.                    N.A. = Not available.

Judged from the turnover of trade Mora, Karanja, Mandva, Shriwardhan, Murud, Revdanda and Rajpuri can be regarded as noteworthy ports.

Mora.

The chief articles of import in Mora arc cement, gunny bags, roofing tiles, rice, wheat and straw, which are usually imported from Bombay and Karanja. Foreign trade transactions are totally absent at Mora, as at any other port in Kolaba district. The chief articles of export from Mora are salt, bricks, rice and ballast, which are destined to Bombay, Thana and other ports on the west coast.

The following statement shows the volume and value of imports and exports from Mora in 1959-60.

TABLE No. 23

IMPORTS AND EXPORTS OF THE CHIEF COMMODITIES AT MORA IN 1959-60.

(Figures of quantity in tons and of value in Rs.)

The goods traffic is carried through sailing vessels such as Machwas, Pattewars, Kothias and Batillas. The vessels up to 30 tons can navigate up to Mora and Uran, both situated on the Uran creek. The wharfage facilities for goods are not adequate.

Karanja.

The chief articles of import at Karanja are cement, rice, wheat, roofing tiles, diesel oil and kerosene, which are usually imported from Bombay and Mangalore. The chief articles of export are salt, firewood, paddy, straw and charcoal. Most of the export trade is destined to Bombay. The following statement gives the statistics of the chief imports and exports from Karanja in 1959:―

TABLE No. 24

IMPORTS AND EXPORTS FROM KARANJA IN 1959.

Revdanda.

Revdanda was a good harbour convenient for navigation and goods traffic in old times. Its commercial importance has, however, dwindled since the beginning of this century. This is attributable to. the obstructions to traffic caused by accumulated silt. In the eighties of the 19th century the imports consisted of cloth, butter, sugar, almonds, dates, copper sheets, tin. lead, paper and umbrellas from Bombay; Onions, potatoes, udid, coriander and chillies from Habsan Bankot and Bhiwandi; and the exports consisted of rice, fuel, leather, live-stock, horns, betel-nuts and brooms sent to Bombay; wari, nachani and coconuts sent to Ratnagiri and Panvel.

The chief articles imported at present arc grams, roofing tiles, sugar, kerosene, cement and matches, which are usually brought from Bombay, Ratnagiri and Vengurla: the chief exports consist of rice, charcoal, firewood, coconuts and betel-nuts.

TABLE No. 25

CHIEF IMPORTS AND EXPORTS FROM REVDANDA IN 1958-59.

Shriwardhan.

Shriwardhan was a port of great importance after the establishment of the British rule, the value of imports in 1881-82 being Rs. 11,820 and that of exports Rs. 18,600. Foodgrains, grocery, petrol, kerosene, roofing tiles and cement are now the chief articles imported from Bombay, Ratnagiri, Vengurla and the major ports on the west coast; while betel-nuts, coconuts, myrobalans, punnai wood, firewood, etc., are mainly exported to Bombay.

Murud.

The chief commodities imported at Murud are roofing tiles, wheat, rice, petrol, kerosene and diesel, which come usually from Bombay, Vengurla and Ratnagiri. The export trade consists of betel-nuts, coconuts, rice, empty barrels, firewood and dry fish. The following statement shows the volume and value of the chief imports and exports from Murud in 1959-60.

TABLE No. 26

The sea-borne goods traffic between Bombay and the ports on the south-western coast is carried via Murud, and as such it is a port of great consequence.

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