Historic Kelghat Pathway to Close Permanently: A Link Between Goa and Karnataka
The Karnataka government has decided to close the historic Kelghat pathway, an over 100-year-old route passing through the Bhimgad Wildlife Sanctuary, which has historically linked Goa and Karnataka. The pathway has been used for trade, travel, and even military movements over the centuries.
KelghatBhimgad Wildlife SanctuaryGoaKarnatakaHistorical PathwayReal Estate NewsSep 14, 2025
Before the introduction of the railway line connecting Londa in Karnataka to Vasco da Gama in Goa, as part of the Anglo-Portuguese treaty of 1878, the Kelghat route was widely used by travelers moving between Valpoi and Kelil in Karnataka through Krishnapur. The agreement signed in 1878 led to the construction of a rail track spanning over 83 km from the port of Mormugao in the Portuguese colony of Goa to Castle Rock in the Western Ghats, just across the border inside British India. This development significantly reduced the use of the Kelghat path.
However, during the Covid-19 pandemic, when the borders between Karnataka and Goa were sealed, people once again used Kelghat to enter Goa clandestinely. The recently published Volume-1 by the directorate of archives, with Girish Mavlankar as the transcriber, has recorded the use of Kelghat based on two letters. A letter written by Virvader Navaru on January 29, 1789, an official of the Sunda King to the secretary of the Portuguese Estate in Goa, Sebastian Nose Ferreira Barroco, requested permission for 12 people traveling to Sirsi via Kelghat, corroborating its historical significance.
Another letter written by the same officer on November 13, 1789, sought the issuance of instructions at the Khandepar check post to permit some people traveling from Savanoor via Kelghat. Talewadi near Gavali village in Karnataka, around 150 years ago, hosted a weekly market that attracted traders and people from various parts of Goa, Karnataka, and Maharashtra. For this, Kelghat was a crucial route.
The use of Kelghat further declined in 2011 after Karnataka’s forest department declared the Bhimgad Wildlife Sanctuary to have a cover of 190 sq km. Historically, Kelghat was also used by Marathas, Mughals, and other armies to travel to the natural fort of Bhimgad, which lies near Krishnapur and was under the control of the Maratha emperor Chhatrapati Shivaji. This has been recorded in a letter written by the master of Karwar to the President of Surat on March 14, 1665.
The closure of the Kelghat pathway marks the end of a significant historical and cultural link between Goa and Karnataka, reflecting the changing times and the prioritization of conservation efforts over traditional routes.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Kelghat pathway?
The Kelghat pathway is an over 100-year-old historic route passing through the Bhimgad Wildlife Sanctuary, linking Goa and Karnataka. It has been used for trade, travel, and military movements over the centuries.
Why is the Kelghat pathway being closed?
The Karnataka government has decided to close the Kelghat pathway to prioritize conservation efforts. The process of relocating villagers from the core forested areas of the Bhimgad Wildlife Sanctuary has been completed.
When was the railway line introduced between Goa and Karnataka?
The railway line connecting Londa in Karnataka to Vasco da Gama in Goa was introduced as part of the Anglo-Portuguese treaty of 1878. This significantly reduced the use of the Kelghat path.
How did the Kelghat pathway play a role during the Covid-19 pandemic?
During the Covid-19 pandemic, when the borders between Karnataka and Goa were sealed, people used the Kelghat pathway to enter Goa clandestinely, reviving its use after many years.
What historical significance does Kelghat have?
Kelghat has been used historically by Marathas, Mughals, and other armies to travel to the natural fort of Bhimgad, which lies near Krishnapur and was under the control of the Maratha emperor Chhatrapati Shivaji. It has also been recorded in historical letters and documents.
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