TRANSPORT AND COMMUNICATIONS

INTRODUCTION

Transport and Communications.

The condition of transport and communications was far from satisfactory in the district during 19th century, when a few fair weather earthen tracks provided the only available means of com munication. Not only the attitude of the Government was step-motherly but any serious attempts on the part of Government to improve the system of transport were thwarted by the typical topography of the district landscape.

Following is a vivid account of the conditions of roads, then existing, taken from the old Gazetteer of Ratnagiri district (1880):—

"At the beginning of British rule (1818-20) carriage was almost entirely by water In rugged parts near the coast private charity had in places hewn rough flights of red stone steps; but they were much damaged and out of repair. In the Parashram pass between Chiplun and Dabhol, there had once been a good made road, paved where the ascent required it. But the pavement was (1824) in so bad repair, that cattle chose a winding pathway to the right There were no wheeled carriages, no horses, no camels, and few pack-bullocks. All field and other produce was carried to market on men's heads, and during the first years of British rule, the people suffered much from being forced to carry the baggage of military and other travellers."

"Parts were dangerous to man and beast. Laden animals were jammed between rocks, forced to slide down steep slopes of sheet rock, and, footsore, to pick their way among thickly strewn rolling stones. Carts were unknown, and between many villages and their market towns were not even bullock paths."

The old Gazetteer also mentions that in 1864 the whole length of the district roads was 171 miles.

With all the development that has taken place in other parts of the State in respect of transport and communications, the district today is served only by roads and a few ports. It is not touched by any National Highway, while many of the State Highways are subject to interruptions of traffic during the monsoon. The proposed Diva-Dasgaon railway line is also not calculated to improve the state of transport, as Dasgaon is far away from the heart of Ratnagiri district. The existing ports, described in a separate section, are also not so convenient for commercial purposes. Most of them are not served with wharfage facilities, goods sheds and amenities to the travelling public. Sandy bars and shallow waters render it very difficult for steamers to land near the shore. Some of the ports, exposed as they are to the violent south-west winds, are not safe for anchorage of vessels. Apart from such difficulties, water transport goes completely out of use in the monsoon and the transport connection between many a port and town is cut. The following statement compiled from the census reports gives the number of persons engaged in transport and communications:—

TABLE NO. 1.

NUMBER OF PERSONS ENGAGED IN TRANSPORT AND COMMUNICATIONS IN RATNAGIRI DISTRICT IN 1911, 1921, 1931 AND 1951.

The statement reveals that water transport employed the largest number since 1911. This was so even at the time of publication of the old Ratnagiri District Gazetteer. Ratnagiri is a coastal district not served by railways or air transport. Water transport served the most important link between this district and Bombay. All the persons shown to be employed in railways and air transport were serving outside this district. All the persons engaged in air and railway transport and posts and telegraphs were employees, while a few others engaged in water and road transport were employers. A majority of the persons in water transport were Kolis.

The table reveals that with all the socio-economic developments there have not been perceptible improvements in the state of transport and communications. As regards postal facilities, there had been an increase in the persons engaged and the number of post offices. The slow progress in transport and communications might be related to the peculiar topography of the district, low volume of trade and the lack of economic opportunities. These factors together rendered the cost of providing transport facilities not sufficiently compensating.

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