Bangalore to Kannur - Road info needed

[RajeshK]

All, There is an update in the Mathrubhumi paper today that the road work beyond Makkutta checkpost to Koottupuzha bridge has started. This is of 2km distance and along with this there may be action on the sidewall for the entire stretch.

The link to the news (writen in Malayalam)is here.. Kannur District News, Local News,???????? , ,??????????-???? ????: ????????? ??????? ??????? ,Kerala - Mathrubhumi

Thanks
Rajesh

[Latheesh]

Any improvement on Hunsur-Gonikoppa road condition? I am planning to drive within a week or two.

[Latheesh]

^^

I am planning to drive to Kannur on this friday. Hunsur - Gonikoppa route is improved or better to take Periyapatna route? Please!! :-)

[jkrishnakj]

I just came back from Kutta the day before, but i preferred to take the Nagarhole route both ways. There were a few rough patches, but otherwise it was nice. This road is closed between 6 PM thru 6 AM.

[prasad14]

Originally Posted by jkrishnakj

I just came back from Kutta the day before, but i preferred to take the Nagarhole route both ways. There were a few rough patches, but otherwise it was nice. This road is closed between 6 PM thru 6 AM.

We'd be returning from Kuruva to Bangalore, via Bavali, Kabini, HD Kote to Bangalore. I have a few questions:

1. Is this road (Bavali-Kabini) also closed after 6PM?
2. Where exactly would be the gates that would be closed? At the beginning of the forest or somewhere near the forest office, which would be little deep in the forest?
3. I presume its OK if you go past the gate (wherever it is), before 6PM and that you won't be stopped at the other end, if its beyond 6PM (at the other end).

Thanks,

RamP!

[sanjaykk]

Just did a B'lore > Kannur > Bangalore trip over the last week. Herez the update:

• Bangalore to Kannur route taken was Bangalore > Srirangapatna > Iluvala > Periayapatna > Virajpet > Makkutta > Kannur
• Kannur to Bangalore route taken was Kannur > Makkutta > Gonikkuppa > Hunsur > Mysore Ring Road > Bangalore

I'd suggest the second route due to the following reasons:

• Srirangapatna > Iluvala section is gotten worse. Slows you down tremendously.
• Periyapatna stretch is narrow with lots of humps
• Gonikkuppa stretch has been patched up well. Bad stretches will be less than 5km (just after Perumbaadi)
• By not taking the Iluvala stretch and continuing towards Mysore ring road you will do a lot of good to yourself, the vehicle and also save time

On the return journey, we were caught in the Mulbery Farmers agitation at Ramanagara (for almost 1hour). Luckily, we took a detour into Ramanagara town, went through village roads and joined back Bangalore <> Mysore road at Bidadi. Thanks to some helpful folks at Ramanagara. Otherwise, we'd've been stranded at Ramanagara till 7pm (as news papers reported that the strike was on till 7pm)

[Latheesh]

So Hunsur-Gonikoppa route is drivable isn't it?

[sanjaykk]

Originally Posted by Latheesh

So Hunsur-Gonikoppa route is drivable isn't it?

Absolutely. I'd rate it better than the Periyapatna stretch.

[RajeshK]

Originally Posted by sanjaykk

Absolutely. I'd rate it better than the Periyapatna stretch.

As the next holiday season starts soon, there may be many waiting for the latest update on this road.

Thanks for the update Sanjay..

Thanks
Rajesh

[vista_qjd]

Originally Posted by sanjaykk

Just did a B'lore > Kannur > Bangalore trip over the last week. Herez the update:

• Periyapatna stretch is narrow with lots of humps
• Gonikkuppa stretch has been patched up well. Bad stretches will be less than 5km (just after Perumbaadi)

I would have to disagree. The gonikoppa route is heavy traffic with lots of trucks and bad roads which makes driving a pain. While the periyapatna road does have humps, the road itself is much more smoother and very less traffic making it easier to drive.

[Latheesh]

^^

Yes I agree, Periyapatna-Siddapur road is not wide but traffic is less comparing to Gonikoppa route. But this time I am driving in the night so Periyapatna route is not safe comparing to Gonikoppa route. Last time when I drove (Dec last week) to Kannur road condition was bad especially Hunsur-Gonikoppa. Did the do any repair work?

[ad75]

Originally Posted by Latheesh

^^

Yes I agree, Periyapatna-Siddapur road is not wide but traffic is less comparing to Gonikoppa route. But this time I am driving in the night so Periyapatna route is not safe comparing to Gonikoppa route. Last time when I drove (Dec last week) to Kannur road condition was bad especially Hunsur-Gonikoppa. Did the do any repair work?

@latheesh, whats the safety issue in periyapatna route at night ? wildlife?

i did this stretch during my last trip between 12am and 2am. i didnt find it unsafe.it was deserted with minimal traffic, could zoom past all the villages and towns,though the numerous humps between periyapatna and siddapur do slow you down, best part was to cross virajpet town in 5-10 mins!!

'Asoka' buses (blr-kannur) take the same route.

[vista_qjd]

Did the kannur, gonikoppa, hunsur stretch last week. There is some road work going on after Iritty bridge on the ghat roads. It looks like they are pouring concrete. Only a single lane is available for traffic. The work is being carried out on a 1-2 Km stretch. Road conditions are not good, but doable.
On the virajpet, gonikoppa section, the patch work is done and there are no potholes, but the roads as usual is very uneven and bumpy to drive. Avoided the bypass at Mysore and took the outer ring road there, which was pretty good.

[Latheesh]

I did Bangalore-Kannur-Bangalore trip and took Periyapatna-Siddapur route. We started from Bangalore @8 PM and reached Kannur @ 3-3.30 AM. Periyapatna-Virajpet traffic is almost zero in the night and we could spot just 2 trucks in the whole stretch.

Srirangapatna-Yelwala shortcut road repair work is done except for 100-200 mtr.

[nithinnarayanan]

Road Condition : 27th March 2011

Bangalore~Mysore(Ringroad Jn) - Excellent
Ring Road~Yelawala - Good with Traffic diverted at places for the ongoing work.
Yelawala~Hunsur - Excellent.
Hunsur~Tithimatti - Patched -with little bad stretch near the forest checkpost.
Tithimatti~Gonikoppa - Patched good.
Gonikoppa~Perumpady - Patched good.
Perumpady~Maakuta - Excellent.
Maakuta~Kootupozha - Being relaid, Single line traffic for 3 Kms.
Kootupozha~Iritty - Patched good (Being relaid).
Iritty~Mattanur - Patched good.
Mattanur~Kannur - Excellent.