[Sutripta]

Hi,
Bagodar - H'Bagh will be ~ 40 Km less than Barhi H'Bagh. No security issues.
Suggest you use one of these routes to go to Jamshedpur. Then make local enquiries for return journey.

Via Kharagpur/ Bohoragora, very bad road in patches, jams at Chichira, possibility of sudden bandhs in Jhargram/ Lodhasuli area. If you use this road, definitely do it in broad daylight.

The police convoy had become a money making endeavor. Because the escort was only upto the border.

Regards
Sutripta

PS Just saw above post. If you search for Koderma, you are going to get lost. At Barhi (NH2), you turn North for Koderma, South for H'Bagh. Koderma is the railhead for H'Bagh.

[snkjr]

Searching for route info on Google maps for driving from Kolkata to Ranchi shows up three suggested routes.

Please see the following link for the routes that Google maps suggests.

https://maps.google.co.in/maps?saddr...mra=ls&t=m&z=8

Could knowledgeable people please let me know which of these three routes is the better option? Please cite the reasons for your choice.

Just to make it clear, I will be driving during daylight so night-time security isn't an issue in my specific case.

My concerns: -

1. NH6 and NH33 -> I have heard the roads are terrible, plus there is some "official" looting going on at the toll booths.

2. SH2 -> I have heard that the roads are bad and deserted.

3. Kanpur City Bypass / AH1 / NH2 and NH23 -> I want to avoid Dhanbad + Bokaro as the traffic is crazy. Had a horrific experience recently.

Thanks.

[hvkumar]

Originally Posted by snkjr

Searching for route info on Google maps for driving from Kolkata to Ranchi shows up three suggested routes.

Please see the following link for the routes that Google maps suggests.

https://maps.google.co.in/maps?saddr...mra=ls&t=m&z=8

Could knowledgeable people please let me know which of these three routes is the better option? Please cite the reasons for your choice.

Just to make it clear, I will be driving during daylight so night-time security isn't an issue in my specific case.

My concerns: -

1. NH6 and NH33 -> I have heard the roads are terrible, plus there is some "official" looting going on at the toll booths.

2. SH2 -> I have heard that the roads are bad and deserted.

3. Kanpur City Bypass / AH1 / NH2 and NH23 -> I want to avoid Dhanbad + Bokaro as the traffic is crazy. Had a horrific experience recently.

Thanks.

I would avoid Route 1 totally.

I would prefer Route 3 via Bardahaman, Durgapur, Asansol, Gobindpur, Dhanbad, Chas & Ramgarh. Traffic will be less if you leave in the morning from Calcutta (~6 am) & barring the jams at Panagarh Bazaar and Dhanbad city, rest should be fine.

[A.G.The Rambler]

Originally Posted by snkjr

Searching for route info on Google maps for driving from Kolkata to Ranchi shows up three suggested routes.

Please see the following link for the routes that Google maps suggests.

https://maps.google.co.in/maps?saddr...mra=ls&t=m&z=8

Could knowledgeable people please let me know which of these three routes is the better option? Please cite the reasons for your choice.

Just to make it clear, I will be driving during daylight so night-time security isn't an issue in my specific case.

My concerns: -

1. NH6 and NH33 -> I have heard the roads are terrible, plus there is some "official" looting going on at the toll booths.

2. SH2 -> I have heard that the roads are bad and deserted.

3. Kanpur City Bypass / AH1 / NH2 and NH23 -> I want to avoid Dhanbad + Bokaro as the traffic is crazy. Had a horrific experience recently.

Thanks.

You can also take this route. I did this 6 months back.

http://goo.gl/maps/xDVgd

Kolkata-Bagodar-Hazaribagh-Ranchi. Apart from a little bit of rough patch exiting NH2 into NH100, the rest should be fine. Do not go for your 1st option, Lodhasuli onwards till Jamshedpur is very very poor, however, Jamshedpur onwards till Ranchi in better these days.

[samarjitdhar]

Route 1 is a strict no no. Right after Kharagpur from Lodhasuli forest there are large craters which trucks even avoid and once you enter Jharkhand that will be the end of your car. Instead you can take the route Anish suggested or even go up to Barhi on NH2 and then turn left on NH33 which is 4 laned most of the way till Ranchi.

[snkjr]

Originally Posted by hvkumar

I would avoid Route 1 totally.

I would prefer Route 3 via Bardahaman, Durgapur, Asansol, Gobindpur, Dhanbad, Chas & Ramgarh. Traffic will be less if you leave in the morning from Calcutta (~6 am) & barring the jams at Panagarh Bazaar and Dhanbad city, rest should be fine.

Originally Posted by A.G.The Rambler

You can also take this route. I did this 6 months back.

http://goo.gl/maps/xDVgd

Kolkata-Bagodar-Hazaribagh-Ranchi. Apart from a little bit of rough patch exiting NH2 into NH100, the rest should be fine. Do not go for your 1st option, Lodhasuli onwards till Jamshedpur is very very poor, however, Jamshedpur onwards till Ranchi in better these days.

Originally Posted by samarjitdhar

Route 1 is a strict no no. Right after Kharagpur from Lodhasuli forest there are large craters which trucks even avoid and once you enter Jharkhand that will be the end of your car. Instead you can take the route Anish suggested or even go up to Barhi on NH2 and then turn left on NH33 which is 4 laned most of the way till Ranchi.

Thanks for your help. As it happens, my car is still undergoing repair as a part needs to be replaced and, as it often the case, it is not in stock. I will now be making the trip sometime next week (hopefully).

I will most likely do what A.G.The Rambler is suggesting, though I confess I have never done that route before.

@A.G.The Rambler, how much time did it take you to do this route?

[saket77]

Originally Posted by snkjr

Searching for route info on Google maps for driving from Kolkata to Ranchi shows up three suggested routes.

Please see the following link for the routes that Google maps suggests.

https://maps.google.co.in/maps?saddr...mra=ls&t=m&z=8

Could knowledgeable people please let me know which of these three routes is the better option? Please cite the reasons for your choice.

Just to make it clear, I will be driving during daylight so night-time security isn't an issue in my specific case.

My concerns: -

1. NH6 and NH33 -> I have heard the roads are terrible, plus there is some "official" looting going on at the toll booths.

2. SH2 -> I have heard that the roads are bad and deserted.

3. Kanpur City Bypass / AH1 / NH2 and NH23 -> I want to avoid Dhanbad + Bokaro as the traffic is crazy. Had a horrific experience recently.

Thanks.

Take NH2 from Kolkata, through Panagarh come upto Govindpur and take a left for Dhanbad. Continue to bokaro, ramgarh and Ranchi. This is the best route as sugested by HV Kumar sir too and mostly followed. The only bottlenecks would be the jams at panagarh and Dhanbad city. Reserve one hour for exiting Dhanbad city once you enter. Bokaro isn't as bad as Dhanbad.

If you want to really avoid Dhanbad, then don't take the left at govindpur and continue straight upto Barhi. Take left from Barhi and you are on NH33 is which now fantastic 4 lane, in fact better than NH2 Thoug longer but I don't thingk you will lose much time if you come by this route. Barhi to Ranchi is 135 kms and roads are excellent and of course Kolkata> Panagarh> Gobindpur> Barhi is NH2. Security is no issue on this route, day or night. However, if you decide to take the Dhanbad> Bokaro> Ramgarh> then NH33 then you may like to avoid the Dhanbad> Bokaro> Ramgarh section at night. NH33 is no problem.

Some Imp. Distances in the Region:

Darjeeling More > Govindpur - 110 Kms.
Govindpur > Dhanbad- ~ 15Kms.
Dhanbad > Ranchi - 180 Kms
Bokaro > Ranchi - 120 Kms.
Ramgarh > Ranchi- 45 Kms

Alt Route:
Gobindpur > Barhi - 125 Kms
Barhi > Ranchi- 135 Kms

Hence, from gobindpur to Ranchi via Dhanbad, Bokaro would be ~ 190 Kms
And Gobindpur > Barhi> Ranchi would be about 260 Kms but all 4 laned.

Regards,
Saket

[A.G.The Rambler]

Originally Posted by snkjr

@A.G.The Rambler, how much time did it take you to do this route?

It took us 10 -11 hours from Ranchi to Kolkata. From Ranchi we drove via Ranchi-Patratu-Ramgarh-Hazaribagh-Bagodar-Kolkata. We spent around 20 minutes in Patratu to enjoy its beauty.

We were driving directly from Betla to Kolkata that day. You can have a look in this TL :

http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/travel...jharkhand.html

Though i am yet to update the last day's events, would complete soon.

[Babuda]

Originally Posted by saket77

If you want to really avoid Dhanbad, then don't take the left at govindpur and continue straight upto Barhi. Take left from Barhi and you are on NH33 is which now fantastic 4 lane, in fact better than NH2 Thoug longer but I don't thingk you will lose much time if you come by this route. Barhi to Ranchi is 135 kms and roads are excellent and of course Kolkata> Panagarh> Gobindpur> Barhi is NH2. Security is no issue on this route, day or night. However, if you decide to take the Dhanbad> Bokaro> Ramgarh> then NH33 then you may like to avoid the Dhanbad> Bokaro> Ramgarh section at night. NH33 is no problem.

Some Imp. Distances in the Region:

Darjeeling More > Govindpur - 110 Kms.
Govindpur > Dhanbad- ~ 15Kms.
Dhanbad > Ranchi - 180 Kms
Bokaro > Ranchi - 120 Kms.
Ramgarh > Ranchi- 45 Kms

Alt Route:
Gobindpur > Barhi - 125 Kms
Barhi > Ranchi- 135 Kms

Hence, from gobindpur to Ranchi via Dhanbad, Bokaro would be ~ 190 Kms
And Gobindpur > Barhi> Ranchi would be about 260 Kms but all 4 laned.

Regards,
Saket

We'll be travelling from Kolkata to Ranchi on the 2nd of January and the route via Barhi, though longer, looks good to me - will be grateful for updates from someone who has made a similar trip recently.

[//M]

Originally Posted by Babuda

We'll be travelling from Kolkata to Ranchi on the 2nd of January and the route via Barhi, though longer, looks good to me - will be grateful for updates from someone who has made a similar trip recently.

You are absolutely right. However you may bypass Barhi and take the Bagodar-Hazaribagh route. Bagodar is few kms after Dumri on NH-2. Though longer, the Kolkata-Bardhaman-Asansol-Dumri-Bagodar-Hazaribagh-Ranchi route is in top notch condition and is the one to go for.

An early start from Kolkata will ensure you avoid traffic till Bardhaman. Plus this route will not take you through crowded Dhanbad and Bokaro plus the not-so-good Dhanbad-Bokaro-Gola-Ranchi highway, so you will save time even though the Hazaribagh route is longer.

[saket77]

Originally Posted by Babuda

We'll be travelling from Kolkata to Ranchi on the 2nd of January and the route via Barhi, though longer, looks good to me - will be grateful for updates from someone who has made a similar trip recently.

Hello Babuda!

The stretch from Barhi to Hazaribagh, which is about 30-35 kms is in bad condition with big potholes at some places. However, I won't say that it is not doable, but just to keep you updated & informed; keep spare time to cross this 35 kms stretch. Don't worry; any small hatchback with some careful handling will do just fine.

However, you yourself know that this route is longer than the other route via Dhanbad.

[Babuda]

Originally Posted by //M

You are absolutely right. However you may bypass Barhi and take the Bagodar-Hazaribagh route. Bagodar is few kms after Dumri on NH-2. Though longer, the Kolkata-Bardhaman-Asansol-Dumri-Bagodar-Hazaribagh-Ranchi route is in top notch condition and is the one to go for.

Originally Posted by saket77

Hello Babuda!

The stretch from Barhi to Hazaribagh, which is about 30-35 kms is in bad condition with big potholes at some places. However, I won't say that it is not doable, but just to keep you updated & informed; keep spare time to cross this 35 kms stretch. Don't worry; any small hatchback with some careful handling will do just fine.

Thanks for the input guys. Correct me if I am wrong, but it appears that the road via Bagodar will be a better option at this time than taking the longer detour via Barhi.

[//M]

Originally Posted by Babuda

Thanks for the input guys. Correct me if I am wrong, but it appears that the road via Bagodar will be a better option at this time than taking the longer detour via Barhi.

Exactly. That's what I meant in my post, Sir.

[Babuda]

@//M & saket77: Guys, thanks for your help. We returned from our Ranchi trip yesterday and took the NH 2 - Bagodar - Hazaribagh - Ramgarh - Ranchi route while going as well as while returning. From doorstep to doorstep it took us about 9 hours including a 30 min breakfast break at Burdwan and a 45 min lunch break just prior to entering Ramgarh.

The first 20 kms from Bagodar towards Hazaribagh has a few rough patches and a couple of broken culverts, thereafter the roads are excellent. The stretch of NH 33 that we travelled on after exiting Hazaribagh and just prior to entering Ranchi, is 4 laned (and a driver's delight), except for the Ramgarh part where you are diverted through the city. It did take us some time to cross Ramgarh during our onward journey as it was a weekday afternoon, but it was easy during the return trip as it was a Sunday morning.

[Travelator]

Anyone who can help me with Patna to Bhubaneshwar route conditions from upto a month or so recent. Quick replies would be really welcome as I am planning to so this enroute Bangalore on 13th Oct