COMMUNICATIONS

PORTS

At the time of publication of the old Gazetteer of Kolaba district, water transport was very important. In the absence of good made roads, transport through waterways was the most convenient and the cheapest. Though there are a few sea ports, most of them are situated in navigable creeks. By the time the Portuguese found their way in India, Revdanda was a harbour of much consequence. It was not exposed to the violent westerly winds. However, in course of time it was filled with sediment, and lost its utility as a harbour. The Dharamtar pier was built in 1868 at a cost of £. 1,653 (Rs. 16,530). [Gazetteer of Bombay Presidency, Vol. XI, 1883.] The boats of about 60 tons [I bid.] could navigate up to the Dharamtar pier. At ordinary high tides, boats of 15 tons could pass to Nagothana, 14 miles south. The Shepherd Ferry Steamers used to ply daily from Bombay to the Dharamtar pier.

In course of time many of the old ports, viz., Antora, Alibag, Nagothana were filled with sediments and remained only tortuously navigable, while many others lost their utility and importance as no attempt was made to clear the sediment. Endeavours to clear the ports were prevented by considerations of excessive cost.

The following is the description of some of the notable ports in this district.

Mora.

Mora, 7 miles from Bombay, is situated on the shore of the creek just opposite to Bombay harbour. It is 2 1/2 miles from Uran. The famous caves of Elephanta are 3 miles from Mora by sea.

At Mora there is a pier belonging to the Landing and Wharfage Fees Fund, while there is a small jetty at Elephanta for embarking and disembarking of passengers.

It is not approachable to big steamers even at high tides as mud has accumulated at the mouth of the creek. There are, however, three motor launch services, viz.;

(i) Shrikrishna Motor Launch Service,

(ii) Mandva Ferries Private, Ltd.,

(iii) E. H. Marine Transport, Co.,

running between Mora and Bombay. Besides, passenger trans-port is also carried on in country crafts which are licensed under the Bombay Minor Ports Passengers Rules. The number of passengers embarked and disembarked at Mora is given below:-

Commercial Importance.

Import trade is on a very small-scale. Gunny bags, cement, abrasive grains, rice, wheat, kerosene and coal ash are imported from Bombay and Karanja. Salt, the main item of export, is sent to Bombay and the ports to the south. There is no foreign traffic from Mora.

Karanja.

Karanja, situated at the entrance of the Karanja creek, is one of the good ports in this district. All goods meant for Karanja are chiefly taken by Machwas and are unloaded at Karanja jetty. There are four jetties in the creek, one each at Karanja, Nagothana, Antora, and Rewas.

The passenger steamers coming from Bombay call at Rewas in Karanja creek, but do not touch Karanja port. The passenger traffic from Karanja to Rewas is carried through ferry machwas. There is a dharmashala at Karanja.

The commercial importance of Karanja is attributable to the export trade of rice, salt, fish and firewood.

Ulwa.

Ulwa is situated at the Panvel creek and is at a distance of 6 miles from Panvel. There is a wharf at Ulwa. The old pier is in a dilapidated condition. This port is not approachable to big steamers. There are two seasonal sailing vessels for passenger traffic. Mostly these vessels are used for carrying vegetables and fruits to Bombay. There is a dharmashala at Ulwa.

The chief goods exported from Ulwa are fruits and vegetables, rice, grain, salt, firewood and sand; while kerosene, Mangalore files and cement are imported.

Rewas.

Rewas is situated at the Rewas creek which provides a ready passage for boats into the open sea in front of Karanja, and it is only two hours' sail to Apollo Bunder, Bombay. The pier of Rewas was built between 1864 and 1869, and was about 2 miles south of Rewas. Now there is a wharf at Rewas.

Steamers up to 300 tons can touch this port. The Bombay-Dharamtar passenger services run via Rewas. The port is provided with facilities such as waiting shed, potable water, etc. It is used for passenger traffic only.

Mandva.

Mandva, situated on the Mandva creek, is not a convenient port. It is not accessible to large vessels. There is a passenger service in small boats between Bombay and Mandva. There is a natural facility for landing but no proper jetty. Cargo boats have to be anchored at some distance from the shore. Even then a considerable quantity of rice is embarked for the Bombay market from. which it is only about 10 miles away. This port has, however, lost its commercial importance as most of the goods traffic is diverted to road transport since the construction of the Dharamtar bridge.

Dharamtar.

Dharamtar port is on the right bank of the Amba river (i.e., Dharamtar creek) and is 10 miles from its mouth. As far as the pier of this port the creek is at all times navigable. Steamers up to 200 tons can approach this port. Dharamtar upstream navigation is difficult. At ordinary high tides, boats of 15 tons, and at spring tides, boats of 25 tons can go to Nagothana, 14 miles east.

Steamer services ply daily between Bombay and Dharamtar.

Revdanda.

Situated at the Revdanda creek, Revdanda port was formerly a good harbour. In the 16th Century when the Portuguese settled down on the western coast of India Revdanda was a port of much consequence. In course of time it was silted, and hence, lost its former utility.

The port is approachable in the fair season to small cargo boats and country crafts. Its commercial importance has, however, depleted since the construction of the Dharamtar bridge.

Murud.

The port is situted near Ekdara village on the Rajpuri creek. The wharf is at -Khora. This port provides landing facilities to steamers, and is approachable to steamers up to 250 tons. Steamers plying on the Bombay-Dabhol route touch this port in the fair season, viz., between October and May. On an average about 1,000 passengers embark and about 2,000 passengers disem-bark at the port in a month. The port is provided with a waiting shed and facility of potable water for the travelling public.

This port commands a considerable volume of export trade in coconuts and betel-nuts since olden times. Imports consist of food-grains, grocery, mineral oils, cement, tiles, etc.

Rajpuri.

The Rajpuri port is situated on the Rajpuri creek. Steamers and vessels up to 250 tons can approach this port in the fair season. There is a jetty which provides landing facilities for cargo and passengers. The Bombay-Dabhol steamer services run via Rajpuri.

Shriwardhan.

Shriwardhan is perhaps the most convenient port in Kolaba district. It is situated on the main sea. There are two jetties, one near the Custom House and another at Bhendi Bunder. It is approachable to big steamers also.

Steamers of the Bombay Steam Navigation Co. (Private) Ltd., call at this port on their 'up' and 'down' voyages twice a day en route to Dabhol. About 100 to 150 passengers are booked daily at Shriwardhan. Amenities such as waiting shed lighted with petromax, and potable water are provided.

Commercial importance of this port is gradually increasing. Imports consist mainly of food-grains, grocery, tiles and cement while cocoanuts, betel-nuts and firewood are exported. As bauxite deposits are found to exist in the hinterland there is also a possibility of the export of bauxite ore from this port in the near future.

TOP