[predatorwheelz]

A close friend is getting married in Ranchi on 27th-28th Jan 2012, has invited me to attend. I was thinking of driving over, since its only 415 kms as per mapmyindia. 2 questions mainly:

1. Please pinpoint the exact route and give me tips on route conditions.

2. Are there any security issues? It'll be just my wife and I in the car, and we will be passing through a large part of Jharkhand, after all!

[SS-Traveller]

Originally Posted by predatorwheelz

...passing through a large part of Jharkhand, after all!

...and the Naxal-affected Jangal Mahal zone too! But not to worry, nothing happens in these parts during the daytime, that too to small vehicles.

To answer your queries:

pinpoint the exact route

Straight road - NH6 into Jharkhand, then change over to NH33 heading towards Jamshedpur and onwards to Ranchi.

Are there any security issues?

Yes. Keep off the section of highway between Boharagora and the Kharagpur turnoff after dark.

...tips on route conditions...

Bad road: Section of NH33 just before & after the Jamshedpur turnoff (about 10-15 km) is reported to be in poor condition till about 4-5 months ago. Hope it's been repaired after the monsoons.

[hvkumar]

Although it may be longer, I suggest you go to Ranchi via Durgapur-Purulia instead of Kharagur-Jamshola. N problems with safety on that route.

[SS-Traveller]

Originally Posted by hvkumar

...go to Ranchi via Durgapur-Purulia...

@HVK: That route doesn't completely bypass the Naxal-affected areas either, and the disadvantage of being on a narrow State Highway with much less traffic is less preferable IMO; I would rather be on the NH where police escorts and checkposts are a regular feature, with trucks being sent through in convoys under police Jeep escort after dark, and regular patrolling during the daytime as well.

[hvkumar]

Originally Posted by SS-Traveller

@HVK: That route doesn't completely bypass the Naxal-affected areas either, and the disadvantage of being on a narrow State Highway with much less traffic is less preferable IMO; I would rather be on the NH where police escorts and checkposts are a regular feature, with trucks being sent through in convoys under police Jeep escort after dark, and regular patrolling during the daytime as well.

There are 2 reasons why I would not like to travel through Kharagpur route:
1. Horrible roads in JH after crossing over from WB
2. Escalation in Naxal hostilities in the Lodasuli area beyond Kharagpur, with mandatory police-led convoys at all times of day and night

[sumitkalindi]

Sir, The NH6 route is very bad near Jamshedpur area. Got this report from a local friend who owns an Icon. The Purulia route is better however not safe at all according to a relative in Ranchi, actually few days back a family was forced out of the Sumo they were traveling in at gunpoint and the Miscreants took off with the Sumo, this event took place at 4PM. In Daylight.

A better route is To take NH 2 till Bagodar after Parasnath hills and then take a left turn on NH100 to Hazari bagh and then take NH 33 to reach Ranchi via Ramgarh. This will the safest and I believe the fastest route.

BTW: What vehicle would you travel in?

[SS-Traveller]

Originally Posted by hvkumar

There are 2 reasons why I would not like to travel through Kharagpur route:
1. Horrible roads in JH after crossing over from WB
2. Escalation in Naxal hostilities in the Lodasuli area beyond Kharagpur, with mandatory police-led convoys at all times of day and night

Yes - there's a 2-3km stretch at the WB-JH border which is a complete moonscape - been that way since the last 30+ years, and I haven't figured out why no one ever repairs it. However I really like sumitkalindi's suggestion...

Originally Posted by sumitkalindi

...take NH 2 till Bagodar...then take a left turn on NH100 to Hazari bagh and then take NH 33 to reach Ranchi via Ramgarh. This will the safest and I believe the fastest route.

...or even take the Hazaribagh-Ranchi road after turning left from Barhi. Total distance should be about 520 km (HVK please confirm!), much faster & safer, and completely bypasses any Naxal-affected area.

Originally Posted by sumitkalindi

BTW: What vehicle would you travel in?

Answering on predatorwheelz's behalf: Non-fluidic Verna CRDi.

[hvkumar]

Originally Posted by sumitkalindi

Sir, The NH6 route is very bad near Jamshedpur area. Got this report from a local friend who owns an Icon. The Purulia route is better however not safe at all according to a relative in Ranchi, actually few days back a family was forced out of the Sumo they were traveling in at gunpoint and the Miscreants took off with the Sumo, this event took place at 4PM. In Daylight.

A better route is To take NH 2 till Bagodar after Parasnath hills and then take a left turn on NH100 to Hazari bagh and then take NH 33 to reach Ranchi via Ramgarh. This will the safest and I believe the fastest route.

BTW: What vehicle would you travel in?

That is real bad news! I would suggest a different route then - turn off NH2 at Gobindpur towards Dhanbad and then take the Chas-Ramgarh route to Ranchi, that road is supposed to be good and has limited safety issues. Going all the way to Barhi is not worth it.

[sumitkalindi]

Originally Posted by hvkumar

Chas-Ramgarh route to Ranchi, that road is supposed to be good and has limited safety issues. Going all the way to Barhi is not worth it.

KumarJi the Chas Ramgarh Route is actually longer than the Route I mentioned. Also it is broken in lots of places. Few weeks back I did went to Ranchi. While I went by the route I mentioned, I made the mistake of coming back via Ramgarh-chas route. Another problem with this route is the unruly traffic, who seems to take out their frustration on out the state vehicles.

The Bagodar Hazaribag Ramgarh route is the best balanced route I believe. However Please note that in the Bagodar region the road has 3 Huge craters. after it the roads are OK in the NH 100 stretch. While NH 33 is a sweet road and I really loved driving on it. Hope this helps. So even if you travel that extra distance to Barhi, the quality of NH 33 would make it up to you by the quality of the roads and the scenery it offers. wide, fast and butter smooth. :-)

[Hatari]

A few months ago, had driven down via Kharagpur to a place 40 kms before Jamshedpur. No issues with safety.
The road on the border stretch was really poor, otherwise quite smooth.

Post monsoon it is sure to have worsened, in which case its really not worth driving.

[SS-Traveller]

Originally Posted by hvkumar

...the Chas-Ramgarh route to Ranchi...

Originally Posted by sumitkalindi

...the Chas Ramgarh Route is actually longer than the Route I mentioned. Also it is broken in lots of places.

HVK, I wholeheartedly agree with sumitkalindi - the Chas-Ramgarh route goes through the colliery area, and the road surface is horrible at all times as he reports. Plus it's a narrow road with very poor average speeds, not meant for low-GC sedans at all.

Originally Posted by sumitkalindi

...even if you travel that extra distance to Barhi, the quality of NH 33 would make it up to you by the quality of the roads and the scenery it offers. wide, fast and butter smooth.

+1 to that!

Originally Posted by Hatari

...40 kms before Jamshedpur...

There is a bad stretch beginning about 10km before the Jamshedpur turnoff, and extending for about 15 km or so - do you have any feedback about the condition of that stretch at present?

Edit: UPDATE
Just spoke to a friend who regularly commutes to Ranchi from Kolkata and has been on both the routes (via Barhi & via Jamshedpur). The road from about 10 km towards the Ranchi side of Jamshedpur, up to Lodhashuli, is in terrible condition, and despite the route via Barhi being 120km longer, the time taken from Kolkata to Ranchi is much the same on both routes.

The Barhi > Ranchi route is being widened, & 4-laning work is partially complete. In the parts where 4-laning is still in progress, one side has already been completed, and it's a smooth drive.

[pkumar]

Chas Ranchi roads are in very good condition. No bad roads, or any issues with low GC vehicles. But as Nandi suggested, Hazaribagh stretch is also good.
Jamsehdpur route not recommended because of patches of bad roads (+ naxal menace).

[//M]

The safest route is to take the Grand Trunk Road upto Dhanbad and then take the road towards Hazaribagh and Ranchi. I'm not sure of the road conditions currently but heard its in good shape. Make sure you plan your dates correctly and it does not clashes with the frequent Maoist strikes and bands in Jharkhand. The Jamshedpur route is comparatively unsafe, but nothing to worry about.

[rahul4640]

I am getting little confused after reading this.
It has been agreed by everyone that travelling via Hazaribagh will be a better option. But how to reach there? Should one turn left at Bagodar to get on NH100 or is the slightly longer route via NH33 is better? But again, NH33 passes through Hazaribagh forest areas. Is there any security concern in those areas?

[huntrz]

To Reach Hazaribagh you leave NH2 at Koderma to take NH33(Patna Ranchi Road). This will be a better option as roads are less congested than the Bagodar-Hazaribagh or Bokaro Ramgharh route and you are less likely to need any directions once you are on NH33. I have been through both the routes and definitely I would suggest you to take NH33.
This route is also recommended over Dhanbad-Chas-Bokaro-Ramgarh-Ranchi or Dhanbad-Chas-Purulia-Ranchi route for self driven vehicles.