Ghat Roads are access routes into the mountainous
Western and
Eastern Ghats, mountain ranges of the
Indian subcontinent. These roads are remarkable feats of engineering,[1] and most were constructed during the
British Raj. Ghat Roads were built to connect to the
hill stations established in the mountains for residents to avoid summer heat. They generally served to connect coastal areas with the upper
Deccan Plateau.
The
Western Ghats lie between coastal plains adjoining the
Arabian Sea and the
Deccan Plateau. There are many Ghat Roads which connect
Karavali districts with the
Malenadu and
Bayaluseemae regions. Most of these ghats are very scenic during
monsoon season in the months of June, July, and August. Landslides can occur in a few of these ghats during rains.[4]
Karnataka
Locations of Ghat Roads in the state of
Karnataka include:
Agumbe Ghat –
Agumbe is a small village in
Shimoga district, a hilly, wet region of the Western Ghats. Its road connects
Udupi district (Udipi) with Shivamogga (Shimoga).[5] Agumbe Ghat can be foggy during rain, but there is a sunset viewpoint on it. Only small vehicles are allowed on Agumbe Ghat, like mini-buses and passenger cars.
Bisle Ghat –
Bisle Ghat Road connects the temple town of
Kukke Subramanya in Dakshina district, which lies below the Western Ghats, to Sakleshpura above the Western Ghats.[9] This Ghat Road is less-used because of the dense forest and danger from wild elephants, as it lies in the
Elephant corridor of Western Ghats (the paths followed by wild elephants in search of water and food).
Devimane Ghat – Devimane Ghat Road lies in
Uttara Kannada district, and connects the coastal town of
Kumta with the town of
Sirsi above the Western Ghats.[10] Many
KSRTC buses run through this section. There is a Hindu temple at Devimane village.
Mala Ghat – Mala lies in
Udupi district, and connects the coastal foothills town of
Karkala to the mining town of
Kudremukh. The ghat effectively connects
Udupi and
Chikmagalur districts. The ghat is designed to withstand vehicles of 120 tonnes in the Mala-Kudremukh section. It was built by KPWD in association with the Border Roads Organization.
Anashi Ghat – Anashi Ghat is in
Uttara Kannada district, and connects the coastal city of
Karwar with
Dandeli. The ghat stretch starts from
Kadra and ends near Anashi, passing through thick Western Ghats. This ghat is part of the
Kali Tiger Reserve.
Kerala
Locations of Ghat Roads in the state of
Kerala include:
Idukki Ghats –
Idukki is a hilly district of
Kerala.
Munnar hill station is located in this district.
Illikkal Kallu – A stone monolith on a rocky hilltop near Idukki district. The way to the hilltop is steep, narrow, and curvy.
Kaithapara Ghat – An unpaved and narrow road travels through beautiful dense forest.
Kadapa Ghats – The road is part of the
Chennai to
Kadapa national highway between
Kadapa and
Rayachoty. It is situated in the southern
Nallamala Forest and very scenic during monsoon season.
Nandyal Ghats – Nandyal Ghat Road runs between
Giddalur and
Nandyal, and connects
Kurnool and
Prakasham districts. It is situated in the northern Nallamala Forest.
Locations of Ghat Roads in the state of
Odisha include:
Mahendragiri Ghat – The north side of the ghat is home to one of the curviest roads in India: tens of twists and turns lead up to the second highest peak of the state. There have been efforts to pave this narrow and winding road.[citation needed]
Tarabu Ghat
Tamil Nadu
The state of
Tamil Nadu has the most Ghat Roads,[15] which include:
Yelagiri Ghat Road – This road is situated in
Tirupathur district, begins at Ponneri village, which lies in
Vaniyambadi–
Tirupattur Road. It has 14 hairpin bends through 15 kilometres (9.3 mi).
Yercaud Ghat Road – This road includes 20 hairpin bends along 25 kilometres (16 mi) Ghat Road. This hill station is in
Salem District.
Bargur Ghat Road – This road begins at
Anthiyur in
Erode district and ends at
Kollegal in
Karnataka state. The road passes through thick forest, which are scenic during monsoon season.
Kollimalai/Kolli Ghat Road – This road contains 72 hairpin bends and leads to this[which?] hill station, situated in
Namakkal district.
Kolli Hills has the highest number of Hairpin bends in India and is the most dangerous Ghat Road in India.[citation needed] The Ghat Road begins in Belukurichi village at the foot of the Kolli Hills and covers 24 kilometres (15 mi).
Pachaimalai Hills Ghat Roads – These roads are also in the Kolli Hills. Thuraiyur–Pachamalai Ghat Road contains 14 hairpin bends and is situated in
Tiruchirapalli district.
Valparai Ghat Road – This road in
Coimbatore district begins at Monkey Falls and has 40 hairpin bends.
Jawadhu Ghat Roads –
Javadi Hills are part of the Eastern Ghats in
Tiruvannamalai district. Ghat Roads in these hills connect villages with nearby towns of the district.
Sirumalai Ghat Road – This road is between
Dindigul and
Madurai districts in southern Tamil Nadu. It has 26 hairpin bends.
Kalrayan Ghats – There are several Ghat Roads in the
Kalrayan Hills, which are part of the Eastern Ghats in
Kallakurichi and
Salem districts.
Meghamalai Ghats – This road in
Theni district has 20 hairpin bends and is surrounded by lush
tea estates.
Pothigai Ghats – Home to many Ghat Roads. Manjolai Ghat, situated in
Tirunelveli and
Kannyakumari districts, is very beautiful and covered by dense forest.
Locations of Ghat Roads in the state of
Telangana include:
Bhadrachalam Ghat Road – A Ghat Road connects
Rajahmundry with
Bhadrachalam, a Hindu pilgrimage site.
Nirmal Ghats (locally called Mahaboob Ghats) – A 10-kilometre (6.2 mi) road situated in
Adilabad district. The road is scenic and surrounded by dense forest and crosses both
Poccheru Falls and
Kuntala Falls.