[Traxter]

Went ahead with the trip despite all this trouble over Hogenekal, but chose the Chittoor route which turned out to be good because there was absolutely no trouble, despite driving a KA plated car.

Some observations on the route...

1. The OMR has horrible traffic all the way to Hosepet which is not news to anyone perhaps. But it does move.
2. Near Paraneeru there are some bad stretches but otherwise road is ok. The tolled stretch after joining it near Ranipet is great of course.
3. If like me, you are used to cursing lorry drivers for driving rash, got a shock of my life. All through TN and AP lorries, particularly big ones owned by good companies drive at a steady 50kmph and never ever overtake.
4. So went through the unique experience of cursing lorry drivers going too slow, especially when they travel in convoys of three with no gap between them, making overtaking extremely tough. This is a special problem for one driving a vehicle fit for tractors or road-rollers, like myself. But you cant legally blame them as the speed limit is 50. I sincerely feel lorry drivers will be the best mannered class of drivers (at least in TN) and far far ahead of the so-called educated but arrogant and money-drunk noveau rich scum that cruise our city streets, if they are given a bit more facilities like air-conditioned cabins, enough rest, and less harassment at the checkpoints etc.
5. Advise to fellow members based on personal experience - even if the strech ahead looks clean, because the stretch is undulating, never ever try and overtake a three-vehicle convoy of large trucks. Did that and almost crashed into an oncoming bus, despite all my defensive driving. There was a dip in the street level which made seeing the bus impossible, as I realised later. The cool hands of the bus driver and the lorry drivers saved me. In my panic I went nearly blank but was wise or fortunate enough not to do a steering wheel katakali and confuse them. I also drove on, and did not break hard or full, as it would have left no room for speeding bus driver to stop. Big mistake, thanks to my luck. Lesson learnt.
6. Absolutely no one stopped me at any checkpoint or anywhere for papers, except one copy / RTO guy in Andhra after Chittoor. Guy did not ask for papers, simply wrote down the name in a register, asked me to sign, and asked Rs.50 for that ('Sir, checkpoint formlity sir!'). I did not pay, and he waved me off, perhaps ashamed that he asked.
7. The improvements being made and already made to Chennai roads are very very impressive. Visiting after many years and driving first time there. Bangalore and KA in general should hold heads in shame. The various flyovers, expressways etc., should make Chennai a world class city pretty soon, but for the weather of course. Road markings are much clearer in Chennai, compared to KA where they barely exist, only they are kept at the last possible point, so if you dont know the city, often you will end up in wrong lane before you read the signs.
8. Even the road from Avadi to Poonamalle, even though not wide, has good center median that allows higher speeds and fast access.
9. I heard there is a road being built that will completely encircle the city, allowing acess to the Calcutta road from GSt without going to city.
10. There are lots of flyovers coming up on the GST road in airport vicinity.