VIZAGAPATAM.
From Párvatípur a cart-road runs northwards to Ráyagada and thence six miles further to Komatipéta, where the tracks to Bissamkatak and Kalyána Singapur branch off from it. This was first traced in the fifties of the last century by the Public Works department, and was much improved by Mr. Willock in 1875. In 1892 the line was resurveyed and a proposal (made by Mr. Goodrich in 1875) that the Kumbikóta-gedda near Ráyagada should be crossed by a bridge at a point where (see p. 301)it runs in a deep and narrow gorge, instead of at the usual ford, was revived by Mr. Willock. Special allotments for the road were made by Government and from the funds of the Jeypore estate (which was then under management during the present Mahárája's minority), and in 1897 the work was completed at a cost of Rs. 75,300. The bridge over the Kumbikóta gedda, the central span of which is an iron girder 76 feet long and 95 feet above the bed of the stream, was completed in 1900 after much trouble with drunken and absconding workmen. It cost Rs. 22,730 and has been invaluable in removing the most serious obstacle to traffic along this route.
From Párvatípur a metalled road leads to Kurupám, whence a cart-track goes on to Gunupur; and from the latter place another track runs north to Gudári and a third through Durgi, near the Kailásakóta hills, to Bissamkatak. None of these three is now of much importance, but they will be greatly used as soon as the railway reaches Párvatípur.
The last road in the Agency which need be referred to is the Sítámpéta pass running from Pálkonda, through the Pálkonda hills, to the Ganjám district. This was first properly cleared under a system suggested1[1] in 1835 by Sir Frederick Adam, then Governor of Madras, when he came to the district inconsequence of the disturbances which gave rise to Mr. Russell's deputation (see p. 57). In May 1836 the Collector leased out 23 patches of land, forming a belt along either side of the road, to 23 mokhásadárs free of kattubadi on condition 2[2] that they kept them clear of jungle. On these cleared belts seven small villages eventually sprang up which for many years were known as the 'road villages.' In 1886 it was found that the land had mostly been alienated and that the services were not performed, and the grants were accordingly resumed. The road is practicable for carts.
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