Chennai-Kumbakonam route choice!

[CliffHanger]

Currently the roads that deviate from NH45 are pathetic till Panruti and bad till Jeyamkondan. Please avoid the route untill the roads are relayed and anaikarai bridge is up for traffic. Till then Chennai-Pondy-kumbakonam will be the safe bet.

[ramanan.skr]

Originally Posted by ampere

That bridge is on a NH right ? (227?)

Is there no traffic on that section? State Buses, Private Vehicles etc?
Its surprising that this is taking so much time!

The bridge under construction over Kollidam river near Jayamkondan is not on NH rather on SH developed by TNRDC. The road on either side of the bridge is completed and connected to Vridachalam and Tiruvarur on each side. When this bridge is completed, this will serve as a alternate route to Kumbakonam from Chennai.

Anakarai bridge is on NH 45C.

[ampere]

Originally Posted by ramanan.skr

The bridge under construction over Kollidam river near Jayamkondan is not on NH rather on SH developed by TNRDC. The road on either side of the bridge is completed and connected to Vridachalam and Tiruvarur on each side. When this bridge is completed, this will serve as a alternate route to Kumbakonam from Chennai.

Does this mean there one more bridge one the Cauvery parallel to Anaikarai? Where is this bridge located? As posted earlier the route from Jayamkondam to Kumbakonam is not marked completely in Google maps (at least I am not able to spot it).

[ramanan.skr]

Originally Posted by ampere

Does this mean there one more bridge one the Cauvery parallel to Anaikarai? Where is this bridge located? As posted earlier the route from Jayamkondam to Kumbakonam is not marked completely in Google maps (at least I am not able to spot it).

This bridge is at a place called Nallathanallur between Jayamkondan & Kumbakonam and is part of TNRDC project of 2 laning 742 km within the state.

[polopm]

Yes, this will be parallel to Anakarai ( or depends) on how the mighty river bends !
Once this is done and hopefully the Ulundupet-Virdhachalam stretch is tarred, guys we have a fantastic cruise route !!
Chennai-Ulundurpet-Virudhachalam-Jayamkondam-Kumbakonam

Will take Ramanan's signature message and wait with faith !

[polopm]

Guys, the Ulundurpet-Virudachalam stretch is fully ready and is butter smooth in most places...very very nice...the only problem I had was a 2hr jam at Anakarai due to couple of vehicles getting struck at the tharai palam :(

[ramanan.skr]

Originally Posted by polopm

Guys, the Ulundurpet-Virudachalam stretch is fully ready and is butter smooth in most places...very very nice...the only problem I had was a 2hr jam at Anakarai due to couple of vehicles getting struck at the tharai palam :(

Is repair works going on in the Anakarai bridge? if so, any idea, for how long it is going to be?

[polopm]

Originally Posted by ramanan.skr

Is repair works going on in the Anakarai bridge? if so, any idea, for how long it is going to be?

Yes it is still going on, am not sure how many days because Amma is going to open the Dam on 6th !!

While returning there was no jam and could cover the place in 5 mins without any issue.
The NH45 route till Ulundurpet-->Virudhalachalam-->Jayamkondan-->Gangaikondacholapuram-->Anakarai-->Kumbakonam is the best route.

[venki.bala]

Had travelled to Mannargudi last weekend. The anaikari tharai apalam is also closed for vehicles. I had to take Sethiathope - Bhuvanagiri - Chidamabaram - Mayialduthurai - thiruvarur - Mannargudi route. While coming back took Chidambaram - cuddalore - Pondy - tindivanam - chennai route. The return route is too good. Particularly the stretch between Pondy - Tindivanam butter smooth NH 66, covered the 41 kms in 25 mins.

[polopm]

Originally Posted by venki.bala

Had travelled to Mannargudi last weekend. The anaikari tharai apalam is also closed for vehicles. I had to take Sethiathope - Bhuvanagiri - Chidamabaram - Mayialduthurai - thiruvarur - Mannargudi route. While coming back took Chidambaram - cuddalore - Pondy - tindivanam - chennai route. The return route is too good. Particularly the stretch between Pondy - Tindivanam butter smooth NH 66, covered the 41 kms in 25 mins.

Yes! Pondy- Thindivanam is amazingly good..touched 175 and could go at that speed for few mins without any interruption

[ampere]

Is there a plan to 4L the other sections of NH66 as well?
I used to think why of all sections of NH66 Tindivanam Pondy was 4-Laned?

Then got a doubt if its more of State Govt effort, in order to ease the ECR traffic for folks to go beyond Pondicherry?

[slakhs]

^^There is no plan to 4 lane NH66. There is a plan to widen and strengthen rest of NH66 to 2 lanes with shoulders and add some bypasses. Work is supposed to start sometime this year. As for only the Pondy section, it comes under connectivity to State Capital and hence only Tindivanam - Pondi section as Chennai - TVM is already a 4L.

[polopm]

To what I hear, theren't many contractors who are willing to 4 lane the Tindivanam to Krishnagiri stretch for NHAI. They don't find it lucrative ( I don't know why) !
I think NHAI has reissued tenders and hopefully the Tindivanam-Tvmalai-Chengam-KGiri is 4 laned in due course.

[Gansan]

What is the current condition of roads between Cuddalore - Sirkazhi? We are planning a road trip during September from Chennai, via Pondy. We will take the ECR in both directions.

[Gansan]

^^Does anyone have latest info on the condition of this route? If road condition is not good we intend to avail the train service which has recently been restored.