PLACES

ROHA

Roha (T. Roha; 18°25' N, 73°05' E; p. 6,880; RS. Karjat, 59 m) the chief town of the Roha taluka lies on the left bank of the Kundalika river or Roha creek twenty-four miles from its mouth. It has a stone wharf or causeway, which at spring-tides can be used by boats of fifteen tons (60 khandis), and at ordinary high-tides by boats of five tons (20 khandis). Except in the rains, the creek at the wharf is dry for about twelve hours in the day, and vessels can reach the pier only for about an hour and a half at each tide. About a mile below Roha, the creek is crossed by several edges of rock, through one of which there is only one narrow channel at which the Revdanda ferry boat, if kept back by light or head winds, has often to stop and set its passengers on shore. For five miles more the water is shallow with numerous sandbanks. The lowest serious shoal is at a bend in the river called gophan of the sling. For the remaining fourteen miles to Revdanda navigation is easy with water enough at all tides for vessels of fifty tons (200 khandis). Roha is a great rice market, large supplies being collected from the neighbouring country and sent in boats and by road to Bombay. A small quantity also goes to the ports of the Ratnagiri coast.

The river Kundalika runs to the north of the town to separate it from Astami. The bridge on the Kundalika river which joins Roha and Astami was built in 1960 at a cost of Rs. 5,00,000. The State Transport stand at Roha is to the north of the town. the Mamlatdar's office and the forest department's bungalow are situated on the rising ground to the south. Immediately to the south, on the slopes is the high school and its playground. To the west of the town is the new Municipal office building and near it an open-air-theatre and a public garden. A little northward is the P. W. D. rest-house. The town has tanning and shoe-making industry, metal works, a carpentry centre and some rice mills. Roha is an export centre for rice, timber and coal.

The town has been recently electrified with the electricity generated at the Bhira Power House. With electricity, the face of the town and its economy has changed rapidly.

Population.

The population of the town according to 1951 census was 6,880. Of this the agricultural classes number 2,060 and the non-agricultural classes 4,820. Of the latter 1,187 persons derive their principal means of livelihood from production other than cultivation; 1,027 persons from commerce; 414 persons from transport; and 2,192 persons from other services and miscellaneous sources.

Municipality.

Roha-Astami municipality was established in the year 1865 and is now governed by the Bombay District Municipal Act, III of 1901. The area of the municipality is 2.25 square miles. The municipal council comprises 17 councillors where one seat each is reserved for women and Scheduled Castes. The municipality has appointed four Sub-committees, viz., (i) the managing committee, (ii) the water-supply committee, (hi) the dispensary com-mittee and (iv) the school committee. These committees look after the municipal affairs in their respective fields.

The total income of the municipality for the year 1958-59 excluding the extraordinary and debt heads amounted to Rs. 82,403-08 nP; comprising octroi tax Rs, 33,661-94 nP.; tax on houses Rs. 14,965-65 nP.; special water tax Rs. 4,291-50 nP.; other taxes Rs. 8,847-67 nP.; realisation under special acts Rs. 549-75 nP.; revenue derived from municipal property and powers apart from taxes Rs. 7,600-21 nP.; grants and contri-butions Rs. 11,324-98 nP.; and miscellaneous Rs. 11,131-39 nP. The expenditure for the same year amounted to Rs. 81,835-52 nP.; general administration and collection charges being Rs. 17,251-82 nP.; public safety Rs. 9,742-84 nP.; public health and convenience Rs. 43,912-61 nP.; public instruction Rs. 9,402-47 nP.; other contributions Rs. 803-99 nP. and miscellaneous Rs. 721-79 nP.

The Municipal Water Works was constructed in 1880 at a cost of Rs. 82,102 where water is brought from Karivana, seven miles from Roha, through pipes and is stored in a reservoir built on the top of a hill.

There are kutcha gutters within the municipal area. Only in some parts there are stone-lined gutters. The town, situated on the hill slopes has a natural advantage for draining of water.

The Zilla Parishad manages primary education, the municipality paying a contribution of five per cent of its annual letting value-The municipality also pays a grant of Rs. 1,500 per year to the high school in the town, conducted by the Konkan Education Society.

The total road length in the municipal area is seven miles and five furlongs of which three miles are metalled and four miles and five furlongs are unmetalled.

The municipality has provided two children's corners and recreation centre where equipment for indoor and outdoor games is provided. The municipality pays an annual grant to private library.

There are two burning grounds for Hindus, one situated on the river-bank in Roha and the other in Astami. The municipality manages both. Besides, there are five privately managed burial grounds, four for Muslims and one for Bene Israelites.

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