Delhi to Kalka - current road conditions

[suman]

Guys, has anyone done the NH1/NH22 lately? If so, please let me know where the chaos starts & ends as I understand there is some major highway construction work going on?

We're planning to head to Kasauli next weekend so I just want to be prepared for any bedlam on the way. I know Tsk had issues in December & so did a colleague of mine in Jan, I was wondering if the situation has taken a turn for the worse......

Saazid, Navdeep, your inputs are welcome.

Thanks for your help.

[SumitB]

Sumanji planning to take the Safari on your long-dreamt vacation trip? Enjoy it.

[navdeep]

man expect the same .. you can have tough time from Ambala to Zirakpur. ( Although I was lucky twice to sail through smoothly ). The flyover is still in the making. Expect rocky road, Dust and traffic.
A small stretch of chaos when you enter kalka till parwanoo barrier but it is manageable.

Reach Kasauli via dharampur .. best road. Skip the shortcut from Parwanoo sector2 to Kasauli.

[navdeep]

There is a way to avoid the Derabassi - Zirakpur traffic, through a bypass from derabassi via banur redlights but I have not used that. That may increase you journey by 15-20 kms.

[suman]

Originally Posted by navdeep

There is a way to avoid the Derabassi - Zirakpur traffic, through a bypass from derabassi via banur redlights but I have not used that. That may increase you journey by 15-20 kms.

Originally Posted by navdeep

Reach Kasauli via dharampur .. best road. Skip the shortcut from Parwanoo sector2 to Kasauli.

Thanks for your prompt reply & the useful tips, will keep these in mind......

[navdeep]

Originally Posted by suman

Thanks for your prompt reply & the useful tips, will keep these in mind......

indeed my pleasure if it can help you in any way. Looking forward to your pics and travelogue.

[tsk1979]

suman, when we went to narkanda, while going we took the direct short route, i,e, from ambala turned towards Zirakpur/chandigarh.
But that road is hell due to NHAI making flyovers and all, and you will get stuck in a jam.
So the alternate route we took while coming back was Via Rajpura.
So you go towards Amritsar/Ludhiana from Ambala, and do not take the chd road.
As you hit Rajpura, take right at the main traffic signal towards Zirakpur(chandigarh road).
From Zirakpur you head towards Himachal.
It will be around 15-20kms extra along with toll tax of 45rs, but its worth it as you bypass most of the crazy construction zone.

[gd1418]

Rajpura is the one that is just before Ludhiana??

Originally Posted by tsk1979

suman, when we went to narkanda, while going we took the direct short route, i,e, from ambala turned towards Zirakpur/chandigarh.
But that road is hell due to NHAI making flyovers and all, and you will get stuck in a jam.
So the alternate route we took while coming back was Via Rajpura.
So you go towards Amritsar/Ludhiana from Ambala, and do not take the chd road.
As you hit Rajpura, take right at the main traffic signal towards Zirakpur(chandigarh road).
From Zirakpur you head towards Himachal.
It will be around 15-20kms extra along with toll tax of 45rs, but its worth it as you bypass most of the crazy construction zone.

[tsk1979]

Originally Posted by gd1418

Rajpura is the one that is just before Ludhiana??

Nope
Rajpura is the first major town after Punjab border(Shambhu toll gate).
Shambhu toll gate is the second toll gate on GT road while going from Delhi, the first toll gate being at Karnal.
If you drive a diesel vehicle, its a good idea to fill up at the large BP Pure for sure Pump as diesel is cheapest in Punjab(cheaper than delhi), though the same is not true to petrol.

From Ludhiana, Rajpura is around 80 odd kms, and from shambu toll gate it should be around 15kms.

[navdeep]

Rajpura is the one that is just before Ludhiana??

ya same .. but not just before LDH. LDH is around 80kms from Rajpura.

It will be around 15-20kms extra along with toll tax of 45rs, but its worth it as you bypass most of the crazy construction zone.

its perfect road to drive but its atleast 50 kms extra + toll tax but you will save time. Its the same road used for Delhi - Patiala and Delhi - Ldh.

Del - Chd = 238 Kms ( approx )

Del - Rajpura = 240 Kms ( approx )

Rajpura - Chd = 45 Kms ( approx )

[tsk1979]

Nope, its only 15-20kms extra

Reason, you never hit chd, you take turn for HP at Zirakpur.
Rajpura Zirakpur=30kms(approx)

Delhi Rajpura = 235kms
Rajpura Zirakpur = 30kms
Delhi Zirakpur = 250kms


All distances from MapmyIndia - India's First Interactive Mapping Portal

[navdeep]

can't comment on the website. But Chd - Zirakpur is max 8kms. Distances mentioned above are my readings as I frequently hit these cities. When I say Chd I mean when you just touch Chd. You can replace the Chd with zirakpur.

Del - Zirakpur = 238 Kms ( approx )

Del - Zirakpur = 240 Kms ( approx )

Rajpura - Zirakpur = 45 Kms ( approx )

[tsk1979]

I did rajpura Zirakput recently and the odo read 30kms only.
As for Delhi Rajpura too the distance is around 230kms because Ludhiana delhi which I do is around 310kms, so subtract 80.
While going from Ambala to Zirakpur via direct route it took us 2 hours+ due to all construction activity, but while coming back we did it via Rajpura and covered the distance in less than an hour.
the Ambala Zirakpur stretch also has the highest accident rate in that region.
Guess when the flyovers and 4 laning is complete it will be good, but have to wait atleast for 2 years more for that!

[navdeep]

Don't know how you hit just 30kms Zkpur - Rajpura. I cross rajpura every alternate weekend.

Yes I agree time saving will be huge.

[rohitbagai]

Also avoid to cross panipat at office hours.