COMMUNICATIONS

ROADS

As has been stated earlier, the condition of roads in the district till 1884 was very unsatisfactory. The old Gazetteer of the District has to say in this behalf as follows: -

"Few [Gazetteer of Bombay Presidency, Sholapur District, 1884, pp. 254-57.] details of roads are available before 1855. At the accession of British power in 1817 and from that time till about 1850, Sholapur had no made roads and few carts; all traffic went over fair-weather tracks on pack bullocks. During the four rainy months the tracks were impassable and for about two months afterwards the passage was rendered most tedious and difficult by the black soil and the numerous streams. During the eight dry months also the tracks were neither smooth nor easy for carts. Of these old tracks, eight lines centred at Pandharpur, eight at Sholapur, and two at Pangaon in Barsi. Of the eight lines which centred at Pandharpur, one went twenty-three miles north to Tembhurni in Karmala; one went fifty-seven miles north-east to Barsi by Mohol, Vairag, and Pangaon; four went south and south-west, one being forty-two miles to Jath, another seventy miles to Athni in Belgaum, a third eighteen miles to Sangola, and from Sangola sixty miles to Miraj, and a fourth eighty miles to Karad in Satara; and two went west and north-west, one passing eighty-nine miles to Satara by Mhasvad and Koregaon, and the other 148 miles to Poona. Of the eight lines which centred at Sholapur, two went north-east to the Nizam's territory, one being twenty-five miles to Tuljapur and the other thirty-eight miles to Dharshiv; one went 176 miles east to Haidarabad by Naldurga and Kalyan; one went south-east twenty-two miles to Akkalkot; one went south fifty-eight miles to Bijapur; two went west, one passing thirty-eight miles to Pandharpur and the other 152 miles to Poona by Tembhurni and Indapur, and one went north-west fifty-four miles to the old fort of Paranda in the Nizam's territory. The two lines which centred at Pangaon in Barsi, went north-east to the Nizam's territory, one passing sixty-six miles to Latur and the other sixty miles to Ambegaon.

At present (1883) Sholapur has ten lines of made roads together equal to 382 miles. Of these, three are Provincial and seven local fund. The three Provincial lines are the Poona-Haidarabad road seventy-eight miles, the Barsi road with its extension towards the Nizam's territory sixty-two miles, and the Sholapur-Bijapur road nineteen miles. Of the seven local fund lines four are first class, the Barsi-Pandharpur road thirty miles, the Mohol-Pandharpur twenty-four miles, the Pandharpur-Janoni forty-two miles, and the Jeur-Karmala with its extension towards Ahmadnagar and the Nizam's territory twenty-seven miles; and three are second class, the Sholapur-Barsi forty-two miles, the Sholapur-Akkalkot fifteen miles and the Jeur-Pandharpur forty-three miles. As forming part of the direct line from Poona to Sholapur and Haidarabad the seventy-eight miles within the district of the Poona-Haidarabad road was the first care of the Bombay Government. Between 1849 and 1855 the sixty-one miles of this section which run north-west to south-west from the Bhima on the borders of Poona and Sholapur to the city of Sholapur, were completed............ The road enters the district at Ranjni on the Bhima in Karmala and runs south-east through the sub-divisions of Karmala, Madha and Sholapur. Of the towns and villages which lie on this road the chief are Tembhurni in Karmala, Vadvad, Shetphal, Chikhli and Mohol in Madha, and Kegaon and Sholapur in Sholapur. It is an excellent murum or crumbly trap road, curbed and drained throughout except on the Bhima and Sina, and four other large streams which it was deemed unnecessary to bridge owing to the nearness of the rail road than under consideration. The Bhima and Sina which are both unfordable during the rains, are crossed by flying bridges, the Bhima near Ranjni in Karmala and the Sina at Lamboti on the borders of Madha and Sholapur. From Sholapur this road runs seventeen miles east towards Haidarabad up to the Tandulvadi stream which separates Sholapur from the Nizam's territory. The road was laid out and completed in 1858............ This portion carries a considerable traffic in grain, especially in wheat and gram. The Barsi road, running nearly east and west for about thirty-five miles was made and murumed in 1856............. As the traffic from Tembhurni to Barsi largely increased, the murum road was severely injured and cut up every season. After the construction of the Great Indian Peninsula Railway in 1860, the traffic on this road rapidly increased and the twenty-one miles from Barsi to Kurduvadi or Barsi Road station became an important feeder of traffic from the Nizam's territory the average number of carts being estimated at about 500 a day....... From Barsi the road is extended twenty-seven miles east towards the large town of Latur in the Nizam's territory. Of these, nineteen miles from Barsi to the village of Yedsi on the Talghat or the first range of the Balaghat hills were improved........ In 1875 this portion was made a Provincial road. In 1881-82 this portion was metalled and bridged throughout with masonry road dams. For a little over half a mile the road runs over the Balaghat hills; the ascent is easy and where necessary is provided with parapet walls. On this hill pass the traffic in cotton, oil-seed, wheat, gram, and barley is unusually heavy, being over 500 carts a day.......... In continuation of this road the further eight miles above the Balaghat range from Yedsi to Tadvala were improved and repaired by the civil department till 1882........ Of the Sholapur-Bijapur road, about nineteen miles run south within Sholapur limits from Sholapur to Takli on the Bhima. Till 1874 this road was kept by the civil department. In 1875 it was transferred to the public works department and partly bridged........ and during the 1876 famine it was further improved.......... At present (1883) it a good mummed road. Of the two rivers, the Sina and Bhima which the road crosses, the Sina is crossed by a flying bridge at Vadakbal ten miles south of Sholapur and the Bhima is crossed by a flying bridge and by a ferry at Takli nineteen miles south of Sholapur. Since 1863 roads have been much improved from local funds. Of the seven local fund lines the Barsi-Pandharpur road, running about thirty miles north and south, is a first class road. It is bridged and drained throughout except a few large streams. As a large number of pilgrims from the Deccan and north India visit the sacred shrine of Vithoba at Pandharpur from Barsi Road station, this road carries a heavy cart and pilgrim traffic throghout the year. The Mohol-Pandharpur road, running about twenty-four miles east and west, is a first class local fund road. It joins Pandharpur with the Great Indian Peninsula Railway at Mohol station by the shortest way. This road is largely used by pilgrims from the east. The Pandharpur-Janoni road, running forty-two miles south-west, is an important first class local fund road. In 1875 this road was transferred to the public works department and during the 1876 famine it was considerably improved.........It leads to the large market of Athni in Belgaum and carries to Barsi Road station by Pandharpur a considerable traffic in grain and oil-seeds from Belgaum and other parts of the Bombay-Karnatak. The Jeur-Karmala road runs from the Jeur station eleven miles north to Karmala. It is a first class local fund road and is bridged and drained throughout. From Karmala the road branches into two, one branch passing eight miles north to Jategaon and the other eight miles north-east to Aljapur. The eight miles from Karmala to Aljapur were considerably improved during the 1876 famine..........Most of the exports from South Ahmadnagar and from the parts of the Nizam's territory which lie east of Karmala go to Jeur station by the Jeur-Karmala road. Of the remaining three second class local fund roads the Sholapur-Barsi road runs forty-two miles north to Barsi from Sholapur, the Sholapur-Akalkot road runs fifteen miles south-east towards Akalkot, and the Jeur-Pandharpur road runs forty-three miles south to Pandharpur from Jeur station. These second class roads are fairly good. Besides these ten well-made lines, four other lines have been lately transferred to the public works department which will soon be made second class roads. Of these, one runs from Sholapur ten miles north towards Tuljapur in the Nizam's territory, and three run from Pandharpur, one twenty-five miles west towards Karad through Pandharpur and Sangola, another twenty-six miles west towards Satara through Pandharpur and Malsiras, and the third forty-six miles north-west towards Mahad and Poona by Velapur, Malsiras, Natepute, and Dharmapuri."

The communication by roads was however much improved between 1884 and 1926. Table No. 2 gives the statistics of important roads in the district by the end of the last century.

The roads at present in the district are divided into five categories, i.e., National highways, State highways, major district roads, other district roads and village roads. The maintenance of National and State highways in the district is vested in the hands of Executive Engineer, Buildings and Communications Department, Sholapur Division and that of major district roads and other district roads is with the Executive Engineer, Zilla Parishad, Sholapur. The statistics of the various categories of roads along with their surface classification are given in Table No. 3.

The description of all the types of roads is given in the ensuing portion.

National Highways : There are two National highways passing through the district, viz., Poona-Sholapur-Hyderabad road and Sholapur-Bijapur road.

Poona-Sholapur-Hyderabad road: This road passes through the district from kilometre No. 144.3 (mile No. 89.13) to kilometre No. 269.3 (mile No. 167.13) covering a distance of 125.17 kilometres (77.16 miles) in the district. The road leaves Poona district and enters in Sholapur district at its west border crossing the Bhima river near village Ranzani where there is a well-built bridge. The road traverses from north-west to south-east direction upto Sholapur city and then takes a turn towards the east upto the district border and enters in Osmanabad district. A section of eight kilometres (five miles) of the road is under the jurisdiction of Sholapur Municipal Corporation. There are nine major bridges on the road which are well-built. The road crosses Miraj-Pandharpur-Kurduwadi-Latur narrow gauge railway line in kilometre No. 180.6 near Modnimb. The road also crosses Bombay-Madras broad gauge railway line twice, first near Wadwal in kilometre No. 213 and for a second time near Sholapur in kilometre No. 241.6. The road passes through Madha, Mohol, North Sholapur and South Sholapur talukas. It passes through hilly tracks in Madha taluka for a little distance.

The entire length of the road surface is black-topped and motorable throughout the year. The road touches the following places during its stretch, at kilometre, numbers shown against the places, viz., Tembhurni (151.6); Warwadi (167.7) Aran (174); Shetphal (183.8); Deodhi (193.5); Yavli (204.6); Mohol (209.6); Bale (233.9); Sholapur (242); Shelgi (248.7); Boramani (259.6) and Tandulwadi (267.7).

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

Sholapur-Bijapur Road: The Sholapur-Bijapur national highway starts from Sholapur city and runs in the southern direction. It runs for 30.20 kilometres in the district and then enters Bijapur district of Karnataka State. A section of 3.20 kilometres in length of the road is under the jurisdiction of Sholapur Municipal Corporation. The road surface is black-topped for its entire length in the district and is motorable throughout the year. The road passes through plain area. There are two major bridges on the road, one at Shamshapur in kilometre 20 on Sina river and another at the district border near Takli in kilometre 30 on Bhima river. The road touches only Soregaon in kilometre 18 and Shamshapur in kilometre 22. It does not cross any major road during, its stretch. At its starting point at Sholapur the following roads either take off from it or are crossed by it:-

(1) Pune-Hyderabad N.H. [N.H.=National Highway.], (2) Sholapur-Aurangabad S.H. [S.H.=State Highway.], (3) Sholapur-Dudhani-Afzulpur S.H. [S.H.=State Highway.] (4) Sholapur-Sangola M.D.R [M.D.R.=Major District Road.] and (5) Sholapur-Barshi S.H. [S.H.=State Highway.]

State Highway: There are seven State highways in the district the description of which is given below:-

Pandharpur-Mahad road : The road emanates from Pandharpur and runs in westward direction for 79.32 kilometres in this district. The road passes through Pandharpur and Malshiras talukas. It leaves Sholapur district in 79.32 kilometres at the western border and enters in Satara district. The road is fully black-topped and motorable throughout the year. The road crosses Miraj-Kurduwadi narrow gauge railway line at Pandharpur in kilometre 1. The road crosses a number of small streams where there are well-built bridges. [Rs. 42.80 lakhs are earmarked for the improvement of this road during the Fifth Plan.]

The road touches the following places at kilometres shown against them from Pandharpur during its run: -Isbavi (6.4); Kuryali (16.1); Velapur (32.2); Khurus (40); Malshiras (48.4); Purandowara (54.8); Natepute (67.9); Morochi (74.2) and Dharmpuri (77.4).

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

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

Satara-Pandharpur-Mohol Road [This road is now extended upto Vairag for about 25 kilometres from Mohol to Vairag and during the Fifth Plan a provision of Rs. 35.07 lakhs has been made for new construction and improvement with a major bridge on Sina river near Malikpeth.]: The road enters in the district in its western border in kilometre 148.3 and runs towards east upto Pandharpur and then towards the north-east upto Mohol on Pune-Hyderabad road. The road passes through Malshiras, Pandharpur and Mohol talukas. It crosses Miraj-Latur narrow gauge railway line near Pandharpur. The entire surface of the road is black-topped. It is motorable throughout the year. The road passes through hilly track for some distance in the Malshiras taluka. The total length of the road in the district is about 78 kilometres. There is one major bridge on this road on the Bhima river near Pandharpur. It touches the following places during its course at kilometres shown against ihem, viz., Piliv (1518); Bhalawani (174); Isbavi (187); Pandharpur (190.3); Tungat (203.2); Penur (213); Khavani (221) and Mohol (226). The following roads either take off from it or are crossed by it: -

¹ S.H.=State Highway. ³N. H. = National Highway.

² M.D.R.=Major District Road.

Miraj-Pandharpur-Kurduwadi-Barshi-Latur Road [During the Fifth Plan, a provision of Rs. 11.50 lakhs has been made for the improvement of this road with eight cross drainage works and a major bridge on Belwan nallah, and Rs. 23.73 lakhs have been earnmarked for widening the portion from Kurduwadi to Barshi.]: The road starts from Miraj in Sangli district and enters in Sholapur district at its southwest border in kilometre 51.8. It runs in north-easterly direction upto Pandharpur from where it runs towards north upto Kurduwadi. From Kurduwadi upto the district border it again goes in northeasterly direction. It leaves for Latur in Osmanabad district at the north-east border of the district in kilometre 253.7. The road joins two district, viz., Sangli at south-west border and Osmanabad at the north-east border. The total length of the road in the district is about 202 kilometres. There are five well-built major bridges on this road. The road runs almost parallel to the Miraj-Latur narrow gauge railway line which is crosses at three places, viz., Sangola, Kurduwadi and Jamgaon. The road also crosses the Bombay-Madras broad gauge railway line which it crosses at three places, viz., Sangola, Kurduwadi year. The road traverses through Sangola, Pandharpur, Mohol, Kurduwadi and Barshi talukas.

The road touches the following places during its course at the kilometres shown in brackets: -Nagaj (52.6); Junoni (66); Hatid (74.2); Pachegaon (76); Watambare (85.4); Kamalapur (89); Sangola (97); Manjari (103.2); Khardi (113); Takli (121), Pandharpur (126); Adhiv (130); Babhulgaon (135); Ashti (147); Shetphal (152); Bavi (153.5); Laul (166); Kurduwadi (174); Chinchgaoh (179.5); Ridhore (184); Upalai (200); Barshi (208); Jamgaon (213); Kuslamb (219); Pangri (226); Chincholi (228); Yedshi (240) and Tadvale Kasbe (250).

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

¹ S.H.=State Highway. ³N.H. = National Highway.

² M.D.R. = Major District Road.

Sholapur-Aurangabad Road [This State highway is now known as Malkapur-Jalna-Tuljapur-Sholapur road, and it is proposed to be upgraded as National highway as per Nagpur Plan. A provision of Rs. 3.08 lakhs has also been made for its improvement during the Fifth Plan.]: The road emanates from Pune-Hyderabad national highway at Sholapur city and runs in north-easternly direction upto the district border. It enters Osmanabad district in kilometre 16.10. The total length of the road in the district is 16.10 kilometres. It is motorable throughout the year. There is one well-built major bridge on the road in kilometre 9.4. The road touches the following places during its run, viz., Haglur, Hipparage, Warlegaon, Ule and Tandulwadi.

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

(1) Sholapur-Bijapur N.H. [N.H. = National Highway.], (2) Barshi-Sholapur-Dudhani S.H. [S.H.=State Highway.]. (3) Sholapur-Hotgi M.D.R.[ M.D.R. = Major District Road.] and (4) Sholapur-Sangola M.D.R. [M.D.R. = Major District Road.]

Barshi-Sholapur-Akkalkot-Dudhani Road [During the Fifth Five-Year Plan a provision of Rs. 22.46 lakhs has been made for the improvement of this road with some minor bridges. Besides, Rs. 4.75 lakhs have also been sanctioned for a bridge on this road across the river Bori near Umarage.]: The road emanates from Miraj-Pandharpur-Latur State highway at Barshi. Its total length in the district is 160.33 kilometres. The road runs towards south upto Sholapur and then south-eastwards upto Dudhani. The road passes through Barshi, Sholapur and Akkalkot talukas. The road-surface upto Sholapur is black-topped and is motorable throughout the year except for some interruptions during heavy rains. The entire length of the road upto Akkalkot is black-topped beyond which it is water-bound macadam. The road is motorable throughout the year except some obstructions at Bori river near Umarge village during the monsoon.

The road touches the following places at kilometres shown in brackets in its stretch:-Saundare (4.5); Balewadi (6); Pangaon (14.5); Manegaon (26); Vairag (29); Shelgaon (46); Darphal (48.5); Wadala (59); Nanaj (66); Karambe (80); Bhogaon (81); Sholapur (90); Kumbhari (100); Valsang (111.3); Karjal (113); Hasapur (120); Akkalkot (124.5); Maindargi (139); and Dudhani (156.5).

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

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

³ O. D. R.= Other District Road. ⁴N. H.= National Highway.

Ahmadnagar-Karmala-Pandharpur-Bijapur Road [A provision of Rs. 67.43 lakhs has been made for the new construction and improvement of this road during the Fifth Plan.]: The road starts from Ahmadnagar city and enters in Sholapur district at the northern border near about kilometre No. 84. The road enters in Sangli district at the south near Shivangi in kilometre 240. The total length of the road in the district is 156.92 kilometres. The road runs from north to south. It passes through Karmala, Kurduwadi, Mohol, Pandharpur and Mangalwedha talukas. The road crosses the Bombay-Madras broad gauge railway line near Jeur in kilometre 120 and the Miraj-Latur narrow gauge line near Pandharpur. Out of the road portion of 39.21 kilometres from Vanegaon to Pandharpur, the length of 12.87 kilometres is of water-bound macadam surface and the remaining with murum surface.

The Pandharpur-Mangalwedha section of this road crosses the Man river where there is a high level major bridge. The whole road section is of water-bound surface. There is one natural crossing near Gopalpur village and it is within Pandharpur municipal limit. Every year, on four to five occasions traffic at this point is obstructed when there is heavy rainfall. The road portion from Mangalwedha to Huljanti with a length of 11.66 kilometres is water-bound macadam surfaced, and from Huljanti to the district border with a length of 15.69 kilometres is murum surfaced, and is fit for traffic only in fair-weather season.

The road touches the following places during its course, viz., Karmala, Jeur, Vanegaon, Parite, Karkamb, Gursale, Pandharpur, Tembhurni, Gopalpur, Mangalwedha, Marawade, Diksal, Huljanti and Shivangi.

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

¹ N. H.=National Highway. ³ M. D. R.=Major District Road.

² S.H.=State Highway.

Dhond-Korti-Karmala-Salse-Paranda-Barshi-Osmanabad Road [A provision of Rs. 60.37 lakhs has been made for the construction and improvement of this road during the Fifth Five-Year Plan.]: The road starts from Dhond in Pune district and enters in Sholapur district at its north-western border near Korti in kilometre 51 and runs from west to east upto Karmala and from Karmala to Salse towards southeast and again eastwards from Salse to Paranda. The road from kilometre 100 to kilometre 132, i.e., 32 kilometres in length runs in Osmanabad district, and again enters in Sholapur district in kilometre 132 in the north of the district. From the district border upto Barshi the road runs eastwards. It enters in Osmanabad district leaving the Sholapur district border in kilometre 171. The total length of the road in the district is 83.68 kilometres. The road runs through Karmala and Barshi talukas.

The road from district border to Korti village, about 2 kilometres in length, is murum-surfaced. The road from Korti to Karmala, about 22 kilometres in length, is a cart-track. Out of the total length of 18.29 kilometres of the road between Karmala and Salse, 1.60 kilometres has a black-topped surface, the rest being water-bound macadam-surfaced and motorable throughout the year. Further portion of the road from Salse to Awati, i.e., upto Sina river is about 8.85 kilometres in length and is murum-surfaced and motorable in fair weather only. There is no bridge over the Sina river. The road-length from Osmanabad district border upto Barshi, about 11.24 kilometres in length, is of water-bound macadam surface and is fit for traffic throughout the year. Further portion from Barshi leading to Osmanabad and lying in Sholapur district is about 32.2 kilometres in length. Out of this portion, 3.21 kilometres is of water-bound macadam surface. The road crosses the Miraj-Latur narrow gauge railway line near Barshi in kilometre 135.5.

The road touches the following places during its stretch, viz., Korti, Karmala, Pande, Salse, Awati, Barshi, Pimpalwadi, Tandulwadi, Ambejavlge and Kaudgaon.

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

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

Major District Roads: The following is a description of the major district roads in the district:-

Karmala-Karjat Road: The road starts from Karjat, the taluka head-quarters in Ahmadnagar district, and ends at Karmala, the taluka head-quarters in Sholapur district. The road runs south-eastwards in the district. The road enters at the north-western border of the district in kilometre 13. The total length of the road in the district is 11.66 kilometres. The surface of the road is partially water-bound macadam and partially murum.

Karmala-Pothare-Jamkhed Road: The road emanates from Ahmadnagar-Bijapur State highway at Karmala, the taluka head-quarters. Its section of one kilometre from the starting point is within the Karmala municipal limit and the subsequent portion from one kilometre to 13 kilometres is in charge of the Zilla Parishad, Sholapur. Near Aljapur village traffic is sometimes interrupted due to the Sina river. The road is water-bound macadam surfaced and is an all-weather road except interruptions near Sina river. The road runs in northerly direction. The total length of the road in the district is thirteen kilometres. It touches Pothare, Aljapur and Padli villages in its course.

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

¹ S. H. = State Highway. ³ O. D. R. = Other District Road.

² M. D. R.=Major District Road.

Bhigwan-Jinti-Jeur-Sade-Salse Road: The road starts from Bhigwan village in Pune district and enters in Sholapur district at the western border. The total length of the road in the district is 54.71 kilometres. The road touches Jinti, Ketur, Pomalwadi, Goyegaon. Sogaon, Kedgaon, Shetphal, Jeur, Sade and Salse. The road runs from west to east and crosses Ahmadnagar-Bijapur State highway rear Jeur and the Bombay-Madras broad gauge railway line at the same place. The road ends at Salse where it meets the Dhond-Karmala-Barshi-Osmanabad State highway. The surface of the whole road portion within the district is of murum and is fit for traffic only in fair-weather season.

Salse-Ropale-Kurduymdi-Madha-Angar-Yaoli Road [During the Fifth Five-Year Plan a provision of Rs. 2.50 lakhs has been made for the cross drainage works on this road.]: The road emanates from Dhond-Karmala-Barshi-Osmanabad State highway at Salse and runs towards south and meets the Pune-Hyderabad-National highway near Yaoli in kilometre 63.36. The total length of the road in the district is 63.36 kilometres. The surface of this road is of water-bound macadam. The road passes through Karmala, Madha and Mohol talukas. It crosses Bombay-Madras broad gauge and Miraj-Latur narrow gauge railway lines near Kurduwadi. The road touches the following places, viz., Salse, Varkute, Ropale, Kave, Barloni, Kurduwadi, Bhosare, Madha, Upalai, Anjangaon, Angar and Yaoli.

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

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

Barshi-Malwandi-Narkhed Road: This road starts from Barshi, the taluka headquarters. The first portion of 3.2 kilometres of the road is under the jurisdiction of the Barshi municipality and the portion between 3.2 kilometres and 38 kilometres is under jurisdiction of Zilla Parishad, Sholapur. The total length of the road excepting that within municipal limits is 34.5 kilometres in the district. It passes through Barshi, Madha and Mohol talukas. Except the portion of the road which lies within the limits of the Barshi municipality, the rest of the road is wholly unmetalled. The road is passable during fair-weather season. It touches the following places, viz., Barshi, Kavhe, Korphale, Gulpoli, Malwandi, Hatkarwadi, Manegaon and Narkhed.

Shetphal-Madha-Wadsinge Road: The road emanates from Pune-Hyderabad national highway and Miraj-Latur State highway near Shetphal in Mohol taluka. The road runs towards north. It crosses the Bombay-Madras broad gauge railway line. The total length of the road in the district is 32.58 kilometres. The road is of water-bound macadam surface and is good for traffic during fair-weather season. The road touches the following places, viz., Shetphal, Uplai, Madha and Wadsinge. It crosses Madha-Vairag and Salse-Yaoli major district roads near Madha.

Madha-Vairag-Osmambad Road: The road emanates from Madha, the taluka headquarters, runs towards east, and then enters in Osmana-bad district. The total length of the road in the district is 48 kilometres. The road crosses the Bombay-Madras broad gauge railway line in kilometre 5. Very often traffic is dislocated because of the Sina river near Undargaon in Madha taluka. [Rs. 10.00 lakhs are provided for the construction of a bridge near Undargaon during the Fifth Five-Year Plan.] Another obstruction is of Bhogawati river near Irle village in Barshi taluka. A portion of 3.21 kilometres of the road is water-bound macadam-surfaced and the rest is unmetalled. There is a proposal to construct a major bridge on Sina river near Undargaon village and another major bridge across Bhogawati river near village Irle in Barshi taluka. At present the road is a fair-weather road but after the completion of the work of black-topping, it would be more useful and important from economic and commercial points of view. The road touches the following places during its course, viz., Undargaon, Malwandi, Irle, Vairag, Ratanjan, Malegaon and Rui.

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

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

Mohol-Kurul-Kamti-Mandrup Road: The road emanates from Pune-Hyderabad national highway near Mohol town, the taluka headquarters, and runs in southward direction. The road crosses the Sangola-Sholapur major district road at Kamti village and leads to Sholapur-Bijapur national highway to which it meets at Mandrup. The total length of the road is 45.86 kilometres. This road lies within Mohol and South Sholapur talukas. The road portion of 27.86 kilometres in length from Mohol to Kurul and near Mandrup where it meets Sholapur-Bijapur national highway is water-bound macadam-surfaced, and the rest between Kurul and Mandrup is murum-surfaced. The road is fit for traffic only in fair-weather season. The road touches the following places, viz., Gotewadi, Kurul, Kamti, Katewadi, Kandalgaon, Telgaon and Mandrup.

Pandharpur-Kurul Road: The road emanates from the Mahad-Pandharpur State highway at Pandharpur and runs towards east upto Kurul in Mohol taluka. The road runs through Pandharpur and Mohol talukas. The total length of the road is 37.81 kilometres. The road portion of 15.28 kilometres lying in Mohol taluka is murum-surfaced. Of the remaining portion of 18.90 kilometres of the road which lies in Pandharpur taluka, a section of 5.23 kilometres in length is water-bound macadam-surfaced, and the rest is unmetalled. The road is fit for traffic only in fair-weather season. It touches the following places during its run, viz., Pandharpur, Degaon, Ajansond, Warkute, Shejbabhulgaon and Kurul.

Sholapur-Mangalwedha-Sangola Road: The road emanates from the junction of Pune-Hyderabad and Sholapur-Bijapur National highways and Barshi-Sholapur-Dudhani State highway in Sholapur Corporation area. The total length of the road is 83 kilometres. The road runs towards south-west. The road portion from kilometre 0/0 to 1 lies within the Sholapur Corporation area and from kilometre No. 1 to kilometre 13 in North Sholapur taluka. It has water-bound macadam surface. [ Provision of Rs. 25,000 has been made for black-topping of the Sholapur-Mangalwedha portion in the Fifth Five-Year Plan.] At the end of this portion of the road the traffic is sometimes obstructed by the Sina river. A major bridge is under construction at this place. There is a major low level causeway over Shelgi nala near Degaon village. The surface of the road between Sina and Bhima rivers, i.e., between 13 and 40 kilometres is water-bound macadam. A major bridge across the Bhima river near Begampur is under construction. [During the Fifth Five-Year Plan (1974-75) provision of Rs. 19.70 lakhs has been made for the construction of the bridge.] The remaining portion of 13 kilometres of the road between Machanur village on the Bhima and Mangalwedha is also water-bound macadam. From Mangalwedha the road goes upto Sangola via Andhalgaon and joins the Miraj-Pandharpur-Latur State highway at Sangola. The total length of the road between Mangalwedha and Sangola is 26 kilometres. Of this, a section of 14.5 kilometres is of water-bound macadam surface and the rest is unmetalled. A bridge over the Man river is under construction on this section. [A provision of Rs. 11.25 lakhs has been made for the construction of the bridge during the Fifth Five-Year Plan.]

Akkalkot-Jeur-Tadwal-Mundewadi-Nandani Road: The road starts from Barshi-Dudhani State highway near Akkalkot and runs south-westwards upto Tadwal railway station on the Bombay-Madras broad gauge railway line. The length of this road portion is 27.76 kilometres. The surface of this road portion is water-bound macadam and is motorable throughout the year. The road portion from Tadwal railway station to Mundewadi is 7.45 kilometres in length and is of murum surface. The road portion from Mundewadi to Nandani where it meets the Sholapur-Bijapur National highway is unmetalled. The total length of the road is 48.21 kilometres. The road touches the following places, viz., Akkalkot, Jeur, Karajgi, Mangrul, Tadwal, Mundewadi, Kumathe and Nandani.

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

⁴ M. D. R.=Major District Road.

Sholapur-Hotgi-Auj-Kanbas-Karajagi Road: The road passes through the industrial area of Sholapur town. The starting section of 3.3 kilometres of the road lies within the jurisdiction of the Sholapur Corporation, and this portion has a black-topped surface. The total length of the road is 32.18 kilometres, out of which the starting section of 6.43 kilometres including the portion lying within the Corporation limits is of black-topped surface, while the road portion between kilometres 6.43 and Hotgi is water-bound macadam-surfaced. The road from Sholapur to Hotgi is fit for traffic throughout the year. The road from Hotgi to Karajagi, i.e., of 15 kilometres in length is un-metalled. The road touches the following places, viz., Sholapur, Hotgi, Auj, Kanbas, Shirval and Karajagi. The road is parallel to Bombay-Madras railway line from Sholapur to Auj where it crosses the latter. The road runs towards south.

Mandrup-Bhandarkawathe Road: The road starts from Mandrup and runs westwards upto Bhandarkawathe. The total length of the road is 15.88 kilometres, out of which 4.82 kilometres is water-bound macadam-surfaced and the rest is murum-surfaced. This road is fit for traffic only in fair-weather season.

Akkalkot-Wagadari-Aland-Gulbarga Road: The road starts from Barshi-Sholapur-Dudhani State highway at Akkalkot town. Its length upto the district border, i.e., upto Bhurikavthe is 27.5 kilometres. From Bhurikavthe the road leads to Aland in Mysore State. The road portion upto Wagadari is of water-bound macadam-surface and is fit for traffic throughout the year. There are two big crossings, one in kilometre 5 over the Bori river where a high level major bridge is constructed and another in kilometre 10 on the Shirsi nalla where there is a submersible bridge. The road portion from Wagadari to Bhurikavthe is motorable only in fair weather.

Akkalkot-Chapalgaon-Hannur-Naldurg Road: The road emanates from Barshi-Sholapur-Dudhani State highway at Akkalkot and runs in northerly direction. Its total length in the district is 19.31 kilometres. It further leads to Naldurg in Osmanabad district. The road portion of 16 kilometres from Akkalkot to Hannur is water-bound macadam and motorable throughout the year and that between Hannur and the district border is unmetalled. The road touches Akkalkot, Dahitne, Chapalgaon and Hannur in its course.

Akkalkot-Tolnur-Mashal Road: The total length of this road in the district is 25.75 kilometres. Its portion between Akkalkot town and the Akkalkot railway station is black-topped. The subsequent portion of the road from Akkalkot railway station to Tolnur is water-bound macadam-surfaced and from Tolnur to Nagansur is murum-surfaced. The road from Nagansur to Mashal in Karnatak State is unmetalled. The road is motorable throughout the year from Akkalkot to Nagansur and from Nagansur to the district border fit for traffic only in fair weather. The road touches Akkalkot town, Karabgaon, Gaudegaon, Nagansur and Tolnur.

Mangalwedha-Nandeshwar-Sonyal Road: The road emanates from Mangalwedha and runs southwards upto the district border and leads to Sonyal in Sangli district. The total length of the road in Sholapur district is 33 kilometres, is murum-surfaced and the rest is unmetalled. The road is fit for traffic only in fair-weather season.

Indapur-Akluj-Sangola-Jath Road: The road starts from Indapur, the taluka head-quarters, in Pune district, and enters in Sholapur district in kilometre 22.5 at the western border of the district. The total length of the road in the district is 63.20 kilometres. The road crosses the Nira river in kilometre No. 23 near Akluj village where a high level bridge is constructed. The road portion of 42 kilometres from 22.5 to 64.5 kilometres passes through irrigated area. The road from Akluj to Velapur is of black-topped surface and the portion from Velapur to Sangola where it meets the Miraj-Pandharpur-Latur State highway is of water-bound macadam surface. On this road portion three minor bridges are constructed across the nallas. The road portion from Sangola to the district border (22.53 kilometres in length) is murum-surfaced. The road crosses the Man river near village Kadlas in Sangola taluka and Korda river near village Javale where there are no bridges. The road portion from Sangola to the district border is fit for traffic only in fair weather. The road crosses the Miraj-Latur narrow gauge line near Sangola.

The road touches the following places during its course, viz.. Akluj, Velapur, Maloli, Mahud, Vakishivane, Sangola, Kadlas and Sonand. The road crosses the Mahad-Pandharpur State highway at Velapur, Satara-Pandharpur-Mohol State highway near Maloli and Malharpeth-Pandharpur major district road at Mahud.

Malharpeth-Mahud-Pandharpur Road: The road emanates from Malharpeth in Satara district and enters in Sholapur district at its western border in kilometre 117. The road terminates in kilometre 157.88 at Pandharpur. The total length of the road in the district is 40.88 kilometres and the road runs eastwards. The entire road-length is water-bound macadam except a length of two kilometres near Pandharpur which has a black-topped surface. The road meets Ahmadnagar-Bijapur State highway at Pandharpur. It crosses the Indapur-Jath major district road at Mahud. There are no major bridges on this road but it is motorable throughout the year. The road touches Katphal, Mahud, Korti and Pandharpur in its stretch in the district.

Vaduj-Dahiwadi-Shinganapur-Natepute Road: The road connects Satara and Sholapur districts. Its major portion passes through hilly area. The total length of this road is 10.65 kilometres. The surface of this road is water-bound macadam and is motorable throughout the year.

Kosti-Jinti-Kalam Road; This road starts from the village Kosti, situated on the Dhond-Karmala-Paranda-Barshi State highway, and leads to Kalam in Pune district. The total length of the road in the district is of murum surface. There is no bridge on the road across the Bhima river which it crosses at the district border.

Mangalwedha-Patkat-Wani-Chincholi-Dikasal-Jath Road: The road starts from Mangalwedha town. The total length of the road in the district is 44.25 kilometres. The road has a murum surface and is motorable in fair weather.

Marwade-Indi Road: This road starts from Ahmadnagar-Karmala-Pandharpur State highway near village Marwade. The total length of this road in the district is 10 kilometres. This road ends at Indi, the taluka head-quarters, in Bijapur district. The surface of the road upto Sholapur district border is water-bound macadam.

Barshi-Tuljapur Road [A provision of Rs. 5.60 lakhs has been made for the improvement of this road during the Fifth Plan.]: This road starts from Barshi, runs towards the south-east upto Sangamner on the eastern border of the district where it leaves for Tuljapur in Osmanabad district. The total length of this road in the district is about 35 kilometres. It touches Shelgaon, Malegaon, Jalgaon, Pimpri and Sangamner in its stretch.

Kurduwadi-Malshiras Road: This road starts from Kurduwadi, runs towards the west upto Malshiras, and traverses through Madha and Malshiras talukas for about 45 kilometres and touches Pimpalner, Tembhurni, Malinagar and Akluj. The entire length of this road has a water-bound macadam surface, [For the Kurduwadi-Tembhurni portion of this road Rs. 3.25 lakhs have been sanctioned for black-topping its surface during the Fifth Plan] It crosses the Bhima river near Shevare. [Rs. 10. 00 lakhs have been provided for the construction of a bridge near Shevare during the Fifth Plan.]

Kuslamb-Yermala Road: This road starts from Kuslamb on the Miraj-Pandharpur-Latur Road, runs towards the north upto Pimpalwadi for about twelve kilometres and leaves for Yermala in Osmanabad district. It touches Pangri and Pimpalwadi in its stretch. The entire length of this road has a water-bound macadam surface [Rs. 5.25 lakhs have been provided for black-topping this road during the Fifth Plan.].

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 generally have murum surface. They are designed to serve taluka places and market centres. The taluka-wise list of other district roads as on March 1969 in the district is given below:-

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

N. A.=Not available.

* Rs. 5.50 have been provided for the construction of this road (from Kern to Ropale) during the Fifth Five-Year Plan.

† Rs. 5.70 lakhs have been provided for the construction and improvement of this road during the Fifth Five-Year Plan.

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

M. D. R.=Major District Road. O. D. R.=Other District Road.

* This road is proposed to be extended upto Bhose on the Ahmadnagar-Karmala-Pandharpur-Bijapur Road. It is also proposed to construct a major bridge on this road across the Bhima river near Avhe. A provision of Rs. 22.70 lakhs has been made during the Fifth Five-Year Plan.

Village roads: The facilities of transport in the rural areas were inadequate in the past. The village roads were mostly earthen tracks which were sometimes impassable in the rainy season. However, during the last two decades considerable progress has been made and several schemes of village road development have been implemented in the district. In 1961, the total length of the village roads in the district was 301 kilometres which gradually increased to 2,652 kilometres in 1972-73. A number of approach roads have also been constructed.

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