Hitherto, the route leading to the nature’s cradle of leeches and perennial waterfalls had been unknown to many, except for a few trekkers and localites. However, this road is now gradually opening up to the outer world. The road leading to Baare village is now called the Kaiga-Baare Road.
About 150 years ago, around 29 pathways were formed, which served as shortcuts to those moving from one place to another. The British had dreamt of constructing railroads here. But now, it is history.
Those days, ferries from Kadra were the only option to transport goods from over the mountains to Karwar. Also, the only road from Hubli to Bellary was the nightmarish road of Anashi.
In 1862, George Latham, a British officer, had proposed the construction of a railroad in the Yellapur-Baare-Kaiga route. For this purpose, the foothills between Kaiga and Hartuga were also carved out. However, the plan was never implemented.
Though the British Government gave up the idea of laying the road in 1875, it took almost six-and-a-half years for the 14 km-long stretch of road in the thick of forests to get wide enough for horses to traverse. Thanks to the efforts of Lord Jane, a forest officer, who had served in Chamba Valley, Dalhousie region. He is believed to have worked towards developing the kutcha road which was in use till recently.
In 1882, as the road was thrown open to public transport, people travelling from Yellapura to Hubli, Dhandeli and Belgaum began using this path. The movement of people in this region had been so thick that ‘Baraballi’ town, now a lesser known place, turned out to be a major business hub during those times. The Baare road was widely recognised as the convergence point.
But, with the passage of time, Anashi Road and the road from Karwar via Sadashivagada pushed the Baare path to the background.
Encart, a popular information software, recognised this as one among the most inaccessible roads.
Tar road
Despite Baare Road being the shortest connecting road between Yellapura and Hubli for the past 140 years, it was only this year that it was asphalted. With this, many vehicles have started plying, connecting Malnad with the coastal region, though two-way transportation on this road is difficult.
One would also be excited to see wild animals on this road that retains its pitch-dark coat. The silent road that attracted people only for its waterfalls and thick forests is now ready for transportation too.
About 10 years ago, travellers had to cross over at least 40-50 trees obstructing the roads, during rainy season. In fact, local people had to clear huge logs of wood to make way for themselves during those times. Further, if one had to reach villages like Kalache, Mavinamane, Hogadde, Vajralli, Beegaru, Telangara, Taragaru, Baraballi and Balgaru, that are situated after Baare, they had to traverse atleast 130 km on this route. The State Government too had evinced little interest in developing this road. Till last year, it was hard to believe that this road would some day be motorable. Through this new road, Hubli would be closer by 40 km.
Driving on this new road amidst thick forests can be a thrilling experience, any day better than driving amidst heavy trucks on the Karwar-Ankola-Yellapura-Hubli highway. Unfortunately, the many waterfalls that dotted the place have disappeared. However, to this day, the thick forest cover doesn’t allow sunrays to reach the ground here. If thick, green forests cover the road from one side, picturesque mountains envelop the road from the other side. The best of all views is the scenic beauty of sunset. About four to five spots in the 12-km-stretch look as if they are meant for sunset viewing. It truly is a pleasure to travel on this Baare Road!
Translated by Senthalir S
