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 CHAPTER VII.

MEANS OF COMMUNICATION.

ROADS — In the plains; their condition in 1850— Beginnings of extension — Their present condition — Chief lines of communication — Bridges — Roads in the Agency — Lammasingi ghát — Minamalúr ghát — Anantagiri ghát— Pottangi ghát and road to Jeypore — Roads on the Jeypore plateau — Lakshmipur ghát — Párvatípur-Ráyagada road — Roads in Gunupur Agency — Sitámpéta pass — Future extensions — Vehicles — Travellers' bungalows and chattrams. RAILWAYS — The Madras and Bengal-Nagpur lines — The proposed Vizianagram-Raipur line. LINES OF STEAMERS.

THE roads of the district divide themselves into two groups; namely, those in the low country and those in the Agency. Except the Ittikavalasa-Jeypore line under the Public Works department, they are in charge of the local boards.

Even as late as forty years ago, the great want of the low country was roads, From 1825 to 1850 nothing was done, or next to nothing; the annual outlay on construction and repairs during that period averaging little more than Rs. 1,800. At the close of 1849 the Collector, Mr. Smollett, was requested to report on the roads of the Vizagapatam district. Mistaking, as well he might, the drift of the requisition, he submitted a carefully compiled statement of the roads available for shipping. On being set right, he explained that there was nothing to be said about the other kind of roads, there being 'not a mile of road in the district along which you can drive a gig or a pig.'

A beginning was made in 1851, when the line from Vizianagram to Bimlipatam was made by public subscription, the Rája contributing Rs. 5,000 out of the Rs. 8,500 required. Government built the bridge on this over the Góstani river at Chittivalasa, and it was washed away the same year. Between 1853 and 1855 about half a lakh was spent in earth-work, but the roads were not properly completed. Even 'the great northern trunk road,' which ran right through the district from Páyakaraopéta, past Anakápalle, Subbavaram and Chittivalasa, and thence parallel to the coast to Chicacole, entirely belied its high-sounding name at this time, being in some places entirely obliterated. Bridges along it and cross roads connecting with it were 133