Current Condition of Road To kerala

[sbraj]

Originally Posted by ampere

Basic Question:
When does 4L work start on the CBE-Palakakd-Trichur section?
Has it already started? If not, when is the plan? After Avinashi stretch completion?

Four laning and road widening on NH47 in Kerala? Where did you read this?

I don't think it is going to happen as there is considerable opposition from local folks, establishment and politicos.

[ampere]

Originally Posted by sbraj

Four laning and road widening on NH47 in Kerala? Where did you read this?

I don't think it is going to happen as there is considerable opposition from local folks, establishment and politicos.

But then its GQ right? If Trichur-Angamaly and beyond can also be almost completed, why not this section? Why the protest? Due to ghats?


In Dec 2009 I came back via Kumarakom-Ernakulam-Trichur. 4L was in full swing. In fact almost done. I took exited the highway and came to town. Hence I naturally assumed the stretch would completed all the way up to CBE.

[sbkumar]

Originally Posted by sbraj

Four laning and road widening on NH47 in Kerala? Where did you read this?

I don't think it is going to happen as there is considerable opposition from local folks, establishment and politicos.

It is in fact happening ( between cochin and trissur at least). Did not see any work happening between Cochin and Allepey though. This is as per my Sept 2010 visit.

Originally Posted by ampere

But then its GQ right? If Trichur-Angamaly and beyond can also be almost completed, why not this section? Why the protest? Due to ghats?

In Dec 2009 I came back via Kumarakom-Ernakulam-Trichur. 4L was in full swing. In fact almost done. I took exited the highway and came to town. Hence I naturally assumed the stretch would completed all the way up to CBE.

This was not completed ( as of Sept 2010), I guess it's probably in the same state what you saw in 2009. There are some stretches with 4 lanes interspersed with 2 lanes.

[ampere]

But then as Raj mentioned, what is the protest all about?

[sbraj]

Originally Posted by ampere

But then as Raj mentioned, what is the protest all about?

Basically from news reports, due to the congested nature of the state and population, people are unwilling to give up land for widening.

So I guess now the widening is in fact happening between EKM and TCR. Is it being widened to 45 meters or 60 meters? This again was a bone of contention.

[sbkumar]

Originally Posted by sbraj

Basically from news reports, due to the congested nature of the state and population, people are unwilling to give up land for widening.

So I guess now the widening is in fact happening between EKM and TCR. Is it being widened to 45 meters or 60 meters? This again was a bone of contention.

IIRC it is 45 meters. The link below also says the same.

NH widening stalled by LDF govt?s conditions

[longhorn]

Widening is currently happening between Angamaly and Trichur(turn off to Ollur, 10 kms before Trichur). I believe it's been happening for the past two years or so. The widening has been completed at various places intermittently, so it like partially complete. The stretch between Angamaly and Chalakudy is worse than the rest of the stretch partly due to frequent deviations along this stretch and more so because the lanes have not been marked on this stretch wherever the tarring is complete.For lighting, you have to depend on solely your car's headlamps.Once this stretch is complete, there should be a good reduction in travel time between Trichur and Ernakulam. AFAIK, this is the most congested road in the entire state.

[jp1]

I am planning to drive from Bangalore to Munnar this weekend. Planning to take following route

Bangalore-Hosur-Krishnagiri-Dharmapuri-Bhawani-Salem-Perandurai-Vijapuri-Tirrupur-Paladam-Udumalapettai-Chinnar-Marayoor-Munnar

Anyone has taken this route recently and how is the road conditions? I am aware that upto Salem, the roads are excellent. How about Salem to Munnar via the above route?

[sv1976]

Originally Posted by lloydofcochin

^^
Hopefully will give you an update tomorrow. I'm driving down to Cochin tonight.

Waiting for the latest updates. Would you recommend Palakkad-Thrissur via NH 47 or via Ottappalam?

[unni.ak]

Originally Posted by sv1976

Waiting for the latest updates. Would you recommend Palakkad-Thrissur via NH 47 or via Ottappalam?

Had gone down to Kerala for a day last weekend and on the return journey, Sharma Volvo took the Plkd-Tsr route. It seems that a lot of patch work has been done. I think there were 2-3 places were it slowed down for potholes, but otherwise seemed driveable. Not at any fast pace though.

Oh, don't get carried away by the fact that I was in a Volvo. The suspension had passed its prime, so each pothole/patch made its presence felt!

[kala]

Originally Posted by jp1

I am planning to drive from Bangalore to Munnar this weekend. Planning to take following route

Bangalore-Hosur-Krishnagiri-Dharmapuri-Bhawani-Salem-Perandurai-Vijapuri-Tirrupur-Paladam-Udumalapettai-Chinnar-Marayoor-Munnar

Anyone has taken this route recently and how is the road conditions? I am aware that upto Salem, the roads are excellent. How about Salem to Munnar via the above route?

Any particular reason why you want to go via Tiruppur ? Passing Tiruppur town can slow you down quite a bit. The faster route to Udumalpettai is Perundurai-Kangeyam-Dharapuram-Udumalpettai : Good roads and not very heavy traffic.

[lloydofcochin]

Originally Posted by sv1976

Waiting for the latest updates. Would you recommend Palakkad-Thrissur via NH 47 or via Ottappalam?

Palakkad-Thrissur is still in terrible shape even after the so called patch work. The upper crust of the road layer is gone in a lot of places and there are numerous sharp pot holes. While returning I will definitely opt for the Ottappalam route.

General update - Avinashi stretch is quite manageable even with a lot of minor diversions.

[jp1]

Originally Posted by kala

Any particular reason why you want to go via Tiruppur ? Passing Tiruppur town can slow you down quite a bit. The faster route to Udumalpettai is Perundurai-Kangeyam-Dharapuram-Udumalpettai : Good roads and not very heavy traffic.

No particular reason, I just found this route while googling mentioning it is the easiest route. I would take the route suggested by you, Thank you. So from Perundurai I need to take deviation from NH to SH, hope I am right.
jp

[kala]

Originally Posted by jp1

No particular reason, I just found this route while googling mentioning it is the easiest route. I would take the route suggested by you, Thank you. So from Perundurai I need to take deviation from NH to SH, hope I am right.

Yes - you need to take a left turn from the NH to get on to the State Highway to Kangeyam. Make sure you ask locals for directions to the next major destination at Kangeyam as well as Dharapuram because there are multiple state / National highways crossing at these places and there's every possibility missing a signboard and taking a wrong road.

[raghu.t.k]

I plan to drive down to Trivandrum from Chennai with stop overs at Palakaad and near Kunnamkulam. The trip is not yet confirmed.

Could you suggest a good route from Kunnamkulam to TVM, and how is the current conditions of this route ? What would be the travelling time if i were to sedate speed in an SX4? Also any good hotels which is also economical?