COMMUNICATIONS

ROADS

National Highway.

Poona-Bangalore Road.

This National Highway starts at Poona and enters Satara district on its northern border at mile 29/3, a distance of 5 furlongs from Sarole. In its stretch it runs through the Khandala, Wai, Medha, Satara and Karad talukas. The total length of this highway in this district is 80.63 miles and is under control of the Buildings and Communications Department. In its course between mile No. 41/4 and 44/2 it traverses the Khambatki Ghat. The entire length of this road in Satara district is black-topped. After its. stretch from North to South, it leaves Satara in mile No. 110 and enters Sangli district to proceed further to Kolhapur, Belgaum and Bangalore.

It touches the following places at the mile numbers indicated against them: —

* I.B.—Inspection Bungalow.

¹T.B.—Travellers Bungalow.

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

@ S.H.-State Highway.

² M.D.R.-Major District Road.

³ O.D.R.- Other District Road.

This road crosses the following rivers over bridges at the mile numbers indicated:

This highway has a black-topped surface and is motorable through-out the year.

State Highways.

Poladpur- Mahabaleshwar-Surul Road

The Poladpur-Mahabaleshwar-Surul State Highway emanates from the Poona-Bangalore Road (National Highway) at mile No. 48 near Surul and runs in the western direction a distance of 37 miles upto Ambinali Ghat on the western boundary of Satara to enter the Kolaba district. It passes through the Pasarni and Ambinali Ghats which fall between mile numbers 8/4 to 14 and 28 to 37 respectively, and traverses the Wai, Mahabaleshwar and Jaoli talukas. The surface of this highway is asphalted upto mile 27/4. and water bound macadam beyond that.

It touches the following places: —

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

The highway crosses the Krishna river over a bridge at Wai and is motorable throughout the year.

Guhagar-Chiplun-Karad-Jath-Bijapur Road.

This state highway starts from Guhagar in Ratnagiri district and enters Satara on its western border at mile 46/6 on Ghatmatha near Bapoli. It runs a distance of 47 miles and 2 furlongs in the east with a bulge towards south, and leaves this district at mile 94 near Surali to enter Sangli district. During its course, it crosses the Patan and Karad talukas and the Kumbarli Ghat (from mile 46/6 to 48/6). This road joins the Poona—Bangalore National Highway in its mile No. 85/1, and runs a distance of 5 furlongs alongwith it and again takes off from it in mile 85/6. The surface of this road from mile 46/6 to 85/1 is asphalted and that from mile 85/6 to 89/6 is concrete. The section between miles 89/6 and 94 has a water bound macadam surface.

It touches the following places: —

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

This road crosses the following rivers over bridges.

It is motorable throughout the year except minor interruptions over the submersible bridge across the Krishna at Karad.

Mahad—Pandharpur Road.

This state highway starts from Mahad in Kolaba district and enters Satara at mile No. 48/5 near Shirwal. From Shirwal the general direction of this road is from west to east. After traversing a distance of about 49 miles and 4 furlongs it enters Sholapur district at mile 98/1 near Dharampuri village, Dharampuri being in Sholapur district.

In its stretch it touches the following important places: —

This highway crosses the Poona—Bangalore road at mile 48/5 near Shirwal, and the old Poona—Satara road at Lonand.

Though this road is classified as a state highway, actually its condition at present does not conform to the stipulations laid down for a state highway. Section of this road from Shirwal to Lonand has a water bound macadam surface. There are a number of natural crossings and Irish bridges (i.e. dips with paving). Under the Vir Dam Project the section between mile 50/1 to 54/3 is being diverted to a higher level to avoid its submergence below Vir reservoir. The diversion road is almost complete but remains to be opened for traffic. The section from Lonand upto border of the district is asphalted. The entire length of this highway in Satara is motorable throughout the year except some interruptions during heavy rains. There is neither any bridge on this road, nor any important river crosses it. The average width of this highway including side shoulders is 24 feet.

Satara—Pandharpur Road

This state highway takes off from the Poona-Bangalore road at mile 69/3 at Satara. It runs a distance of 61 miles and 3 furlongs in the eastern direction until it enters the Sholapur district at mile 61/3. It traverses the Satara, Koregaon, Khatav and Man talukas.

This road is in charge of the Buildings and Communications Department. Of the total length of 61 miles and 3 furlongs length of 59 miles and 3 furlongs (viz. between 1 and 11 and 12 to 61/3) has a water bound macadam surface and only 2 miles length is black-topped.

It touches the following places at miles indicated against them.

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

The road crossed the following rivers and nallas and there are bridges over all of them:—

This highway is motorable throughout the year.

Tasgaon-Pingli-Mayani Road.

This state highway starts from Tasgaon in Sangli and enters Satara district at mile 29 near Mayani on the southern border. It runs a distance of 17 miles and 4 furlongs from south to north to join the Satara-Pandharpur State Highway in its mile 46/4 near Pingli.

It touches Katar Khatav village at mile 39 where it meets Pusegaon-Vaduj-Katar Khatav road. This road does not cross any major river.

The entire length of this highway in Satara has water bound macadam surface and is motorable throughout the year.

Major District Roads.

Satara-Vaduth-Satara Rly-Station Road

This road emanates from mile 69/3 of the Poona-Bangalore National Highway at Satara and runs to the north-east a distance of about 10 miles. It connects Satara town with Satara railway station, and traverses the Satara and Koregaon talukas. The entire length of this road is black-topped and is in charge of the Buildings and Communications Department.

It touches the following places:—

It does not cross any important road, but crosses the following rivers at the miles indicated against them. and there are bridges over all of them: —

It is motorable throughout the year.

Wai-Wathar Road.

This road starts from Wai and terminates at Wathar. It runs a distance of 20 miles in the east and traverses the Wai and Koregaon talukas.

It touches Ozarde, Shirgaon and Pimpoda.

The Poona-Bangalore road crosses it in its mile No. S near Joshi Vihir and the Pimpoda-Sonka road takes off from it at Pimpoda.

It does not cross any big river. The surface of this road is water bound macadam and is motorable throughout the year.

Satara-Mahabaleshwar Road. (Via Kelghar Ghat)

This road starts from Satara at mile No. 67/4 of Poona-Bangalore road and runs in the north-west direction. It traverses the Satara, Jaoli and Mahabaleshwar talukas, and terminates at Mahabaleshwar hill station at its mile No. 32/7. The road is classified as a Major District Road in the revised Road Planning of Satara district. This is the shortest route to Mahabaleshwar hill station and as such, is most convenient to the travellers coming from Bangalore side and the Deccan.

The road touches the following important villages on its way: —

It crosses the river Venna at Kanher in mile No. 7/2 where there is a bridge and also at mile No. 19/7 near Ambheghar, where there is no bridge.

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

The surface of the road is water bound macadam and is motorable for eight months only. The work of improving it is in progress and it is expected to be motorable throughout the year in near future.

Malharpeth-Pandharpur Road

This road emanates from the Guhagar-Chiplun-Karad-Jath-Bijapur State Highway at Malharpeth at mile No. 72. It runs a distance of 10 miles in the north-east upto Umbraj and 53 miles in the east upto Varkute on the eastern boundary of the district to enter the Sholapur district. It covers a distance of 63 miles in Satara district and traverses the Patan, Karad, Khatav and Man talukas. Surface of the entire length of the road falling in this district is water bound macadam.

It touches the following places in its stretch:—

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

This road crosses the Krishna river near Umbraj. There is no bridge over the road. It is not motorable throughout the year.

Karad-Masur-Targaon-Koregaon-Lonand Road.

This road starts from Karad on the Poona-Bangalore road at mile No. 100/8, and a little away from the confluence of the Krishna and the Koyna. Its length of 1 mile and 7 furlongs from the starting point is common with the Karad-Bijapur road and has a cement concrete surface. Total length of this road is 42 miles and 5 furlongs. In its stretch from south to north it traverses the Karad, Koregaon and Phaltan talukas and touches the following important trade -centres and railway stations:—

It either touches or crosses the following roads: —

The surface of this road except its section between Rahimatpur and Koregaon is unmetalled. It is a fair weather road and traffic over it is obstructed in the rainy season.

Satara-Rahimatpur-Tasgaon Road.

The road starts from Satara on the Poona-Bangalore road at mile No. 70/2 and runs a distance of about 6 furlongs in common with the latter. In its stretch in the south-east direction it traverses the Satara, Koregaon and Khatav talukas and enters Sangli district to terminate at Tasgaon. Total length of the road in Satara district is 29 miles and 2 furlongs. It crosses the Krishna in mile No. 12 near Dhamner where there is a seasonal ferry service. A submersible bridge was proposed there.

The following villages are situated by the road: —

It crosses the Karad-Masur-Targaon-Koregaon-Lonand road in mile 15, the Nandoshi-Gopuj road in mile 22/6 and the Karad-Pusesavali-Natepute road in mile 27/7.

The surface of the road is metalled. After completion of the proposed bridge at Dhamner it will be motorable throughout the year.

Karad-Pusesavali-Natepute Road.

Starting from Karad the road runs towards the east and forms part of the Karad-Bijapur State Highway for nearly 3 miles. Thereafter it takes off towards the north-east upto Shingnapur on the border of the district to enter Sholapur district where it terminates at Natepute. It passes through the Karad, Khatav and Man talukas over a distance of about 52 miles. It crosses the Nandani river at mile 17, the Yerla at mile 28 near Vaduj, the Man at mile 39 near Dahiwadi and a perennial nalla at mile 47 near Vavarhire. These rivers and streams cannot be crossed due to rising flood waters during the monsoon.

It touches the following places:—

The following roads are crossed by it: —

Karad-Yelgaon-Yenpe-Mohare Road.

The section of this road between Karad Bijapur road and Pusesavali is not motorable, while the rest is motorable throughout the year and has a metalled surface.

This road emanates from mile No. 105/3 of the Poona-Bangalore road, i.e. about 3 miles south of Karad. It runs towards the south-west covering a distance of 15 miles and 2 furlongs right upto the border of this district to enter Sangli district. It traverses only the Karad taluka.

The entire surface of the road is unmetalled. After execution of the proposed improvements, it is expected to be motorable throughout the year.

Karad-Kolewadi—Dhebewadi Road.

This road starts from Karad on the Poona-Bangalore road at mile No. 102/5 and runs towards the west. The total length of the road is 16 miles and it traverses the Karad and Patan talukas.

It touches the following places: —

The surface of this road is metalled and it is an all weather road.

Dahiwadi-Mograle-Phaltan Road.

Starting from Dahiwadi this road traverses in common with the Karad—Pusesavali—Natepute road for about two miles. It then takes a turn towards the north and runs through Man and Phaltan talukas upto Phaltan town. The total length of this road is 23 miles and 3 furlongs.

The following villages arc situated by the side of this road: —

The section of 12 miles and 3 furlongs i.e. between Dahiwadi and Mograle has a metalled surface, while the rest of the road is unmetalled. The section of the road falling in the Mograle Ghat is motorable only during the fair season.

Pusegaon-Vaduj-Kaledhon Road.

This road starts from Pusegaon on the Satara—Pandharpur State Highway at mile No. 22, and goes towards the south-east up to Kaledhon where it terminates. The total length of the road is 30 miles. It crosses the Karad—Pusesavali—Shingnapur road in mile 12 near Vaduj and the Tasgaon—Pingli State Highway in mile 17/2 near Katar Khatav.

The surface of the road between Pusegaon and Katar Khatav is metalled and motorable throughout the year. However, beyond Katar Khatav it is unmetalled and motorable only in fair weather.

Patan-Tarale-Nagthane Road

This road starts from Patan situated on the Guhagar—Chiplun— Karad—Bijapur State Highway at mile No. 65 and runs in the northern direction upto Nagthane. The total length of this road, including its. section in the ghats, is about 24 miles. It touches Vajroshi, Tarale, Nune and Saspade on its way. It traverses the Patan and Satara talukas.

This road crosses the Tarali river near Tarale village where a ferry service is provided in the rainy season. It passes through hilly tracks and is not motorable throughout the year.

Phaltan—Sangavi—Baramati—Diksal Road.

This road starts from Phaltan and runs up to Sangavi where it enters Poona district at mile No. 6/2. In its south to north stretch in this district it runs a distance of 6 miles and 2 furlongs.

There is no important village or town on this road. There are minor cross drainages  across this road while there is a big bridge over the Nira river, near Sangavi. This is a R.C.C. deck slab submersible bridge which was completed in 1956.

This road is being upgraded to the standard of a Major District Road. It is motorable throughout the year.

Old Poona—Satara Road.

This road starts from Satara, and runs in the northern direction to enter Poona district near Nira river at mile No. 33/4. Total length of this road in this district is 33 miles and 4 furlongs.

In its stretch it touches Vaduth, Shivthar, Pimpode, Deur, Lonand and Padegaon. It is crossed by the Mahad—Pandharpur road at Lonand in its mile No. 28/4, and also by the Poona—Bangalore rail-way line near Padegaon railway station. There is a major bridge on this road across the Nira river, the bridge being under the jurisdiction of the Poona Division.

The Satara Lonand section is of water bound macadam surface and is motorable except during heavy monsoons. The section between Lonand and the Nira is asphalted and motorable during all seasons without any interruption.

Other District Roads.

The ' Other District Roads ' are of the same category as Major District Roads, except that they are subject to more frequent interruptions of traffic during the rains. They are usually unmetalled and have murum surface.

The following statement gives the details regarding the Other District Roads in Satara district:—

TABLE NO. 1.

OTHER DISTRICT ROADS MAINTAINED BY DISTRICT LOCAL BOARD.

TABLE No. 1—contd.

TABLE No. 1-contd.

Road Development in Five-Year Plans.

Under the road development programme the following road works were completed in this district during 1947-56:—

During the Second Five-Year Plan the following roads were undertaken: —

Bridges and Causeways.

Work on the following bridges and causeways was also undertaken:—

(1) Improvements to the bridge at Karad on Koyna river.

(2) Construction of a bridge across Vasna river at Pimpode on old Poona-Satara road.

(3) Construction of a submersible causeway at the proposed diversion at mile No. 12/4 of Mahad-Pandharpur road.

(4) Submersible bridge on Sangavi road.

(5) High level causeway across Urmodi river near Sangaon.

(6) Major bridge at Koregaon on Satara-Pandharpur road.

(7) Six major bridges on Phaltan-Aundh road.

Statistics of Municipal Roads.

Municipal roads are maintained by the municipal authorities.

There are very few cement concrete or asphalted roads. Town planning did not receive sufficient attention in this district. The table below gives the road mileage in the municipal towns of Satara district.

STATISTICS OF MUNICIPAL ROADS.

Vehicles in Municipal Towns.

Vehicles in municipal towns are divided into four categories according to the motive power used for their locomotion, viz. motors, cycles, tongas, and ox-drawn carts. A list of vehicles in the various towns is given below: —

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