[sbala]

Any updates on the road conditions to Chidambaram ?

[drivingme.crazy]

Woahhh.... Almost 4 years since the last post in this thread. Let me cut the ribbon again.

Any suggestions on the Bangalore-Chidambaram route after the recent monsoon lashing? I was told that most of the routes are either in bad shape or completely disconnected.

[ampere]

Originally Posted by drivingme.crazy

Any suggestions on the Bangalore-Chidambaram route after the recent monsoon lashing? I was told that most of the routes are either in bad shape or completely disconnected.

The basic options don't change.

Bangalore Salem Ulundurpet Vridhachalam Chidambaram. But don't know how the route beyond Ulundurpet has deteriorated.

[drivingme.crazy]

Thanks Ampere.

Back to Bangalore after a short trip to CDM. Here's the route I took and the observations.

Onward: BLR - Salem - Aathur - Veppur - Virudhachalam - Kammapuram - Sethiathope - CDM (google preferred route)

Once you deviate from Salem - Kallakurichi route the roads are bad. It's worst between Virudhachalam and Sethiathope.

This route took me 7:30 hours with short breaks.

Return: CDM - Sethiathope - Vadalur - Virudhachalam - Veppur - Aathur - Salem - BLR.

Equally worse road between Vadalur - Virudhachalam. Return journey took me 8 hours with much shorter breaks than onward journey. But it was raining heavily till Vadalur. Traffic was crawling at 30 Km/hr for almost 2 hours.

Didn't try the Ulundurpet road.

Looking at the damage of roads it's gonna take months before you expect it to be better. Lot of unfinished repair work, digging on both sides to expand the roads (with water logging, you wouldn't know - atleast a feet deep), add to that the Monsoon damage.

If you have travel plans soon, better be prepared for a tiring journey especially if you have an MT. My left leg started paining within an hour.

[natrajdr]

Planning for a trip to Cuddalore in early July with a stop over in Thiruvannamalai. Here is the route I'm thinking of (thanks to these forums):
Bangalore > Krishnagiri > Karimangalam > Harur > Thiruvannamalai > Thirukoilure > Panruti > Nellikuppam > Cuddalore > Pondicherry > Thindivanam > Cheyyar > Arcot > Krishnagiri > Bangalore.

Comments? Also, any recent news on the road conditions between Thiruvannamalai and Cuddalore?

[ravib]

Originally Posted by natrajdr

Planning for a trip to Cuddalore in early July with a stop over in Thiruvannamalai. Here is the route I'm thinking of (thanks to these forums):
Bangalore > Krishnagiri > Karimangalam > Harur > Thiruvannamalai > Thirukoilure > Panruti > Nellikuppam > Cuddalore > Pondicherry > Thindivanam > Cheyyar > Arcot > Krishnagiri > Bangalore.

Comments? Also, any recent news on the road conditions between Thiruvannamalai and Cuddalore?

Thiruvannamalai-Thirukoilur-Villupuram is decent 2L roads. However, AFAIK, villupuram-panruti-nellikuppam-cuddalore usually won't be in good shape, though recent traveler's can give latest updates.

Cuddalore-Pondy is traffic is very high, so watch out for that, especially if you are returning after dark.
Other routes seems good to me.

-Ravi

[natrajdr]

Thanks, Ravib.
Do I need to go via Villupuram? I was thinking of going from Thirkovilure to Panruti directly?

Just noticed that there are two parallel routes - via Thiruvennainallur or Periya Sevalai. Any idea which one is better?

[ravib]

Originally Posted by natrajdr

Thanks, Ravib.
Do I need to go via Villupuram? I was thinking of going from Thirkovilure to Panruti directly?

Just noticed that there are two parallel routes - via Thiruvennainallur or Periya Sevalai. Any idea which one is better?

Sorry, i don't have specific updates for route via Thiruvennainallur or Periya Sevalai. However my best guess is to go via Thiruvennainallur.

Going via Villupuram is 3rd alternative for you.

-Ravi

[natrajdr]

Did the trip on the planned route early this month. Road conditions are good all the way to Thirukovilur.

From there till Panruti, there is road widening work going on. Be careful on those parts as there is no shoulder - in fact the road side is a good 2-3 feet lower than the road. Truckers and bus drivers play chicken with who needs to move off to the under construction road. There are reports of lots of accidents too in that stretch.

The route on the way back was quite good too - regular two lane highways till Arcot and the GQ after that.

Thanks for all your inputs.

Originally Posted by natrajdr

Planning for a trip to Cuddalore in early July with a stop over in Thiruvannamalai. Here is the route I'm thinking of (thanks to these forums):
Bangalore > Krishnagiri > Karimangalam > Harur > Thiruvannamalai > Thirukoilure > Panruti > Nellikuppam > Cuddalore > Pondicherry > Thindivanam > Cheyyar > Arcot > Krishnagiri > Bangalore.

Comments? Also, any recent news on the road conditions between Thiruvannamalai and Cuddalore?

[ampere]

Originally Posted by natrajdr

From there till Panruti, there is road widening work going on. Be careful on those parts as there is no shoulder - in fact the road side is a good 2-3 feet lower than the road. Truckers and bus drivers play chicken with who needs to move off to the under construction road. There are reports of lots of accidents too in that stretch.

Great update!

Good to note about the road widening. So if this goes good, then would be interesting to compare the times till Panruti/Chidambaram as against the standard Salem-Ulundurpet option.

[ashwinmanuk]

Hello Guys!
Time to ask for an update on this route, considering the recent rains. How are the road conditions post Salem?

[ampere]

Originally Posted by ashwinmanuk

Hello Guys!
Time to ask for an update on this route, considering the recent rains. How are the road conditions post Salem?

V Koot Road - Veppu - Vridhachalam is now a belter. Vridhachalam-Chidambaram still is average.

[Yieldway17]

Originally Posted by ashwinmanuk

Hello Guys!
Time to ask for an update on this route, considering the recent rains. How are the road conditions post Salem?

I can attest for Veppur - Vridachalam part of the stretch to be excellent.. I assume it's the same between V Koot Road to Veppur. No idea beyond Vridachalam.