[mmurthy]

Nitin, excellent update....thanks a ton. I have been waiting for someone to do this stretch as I have always traveled with the family and have not had the guts to experiment with this stretch. Again.....great job!

Would really help us all if you could continue updating us whenever you go.

cheers and safe driving!

[xotiq]

Took this route yesterday night. I was told that the road is motorable except when it rains.

I have shared the GPS track, which i logged yesterday, that shows the route and other details from iritty to bangalore.

https://sportstracker.nokia.com/nts/...x.do?id=887116

[Jaggu]

Woke up at 5 am and was in double mind if i should do Makutta or stick to my original plans, then i saw thunder and lightening on the horizon. Got out at 5:50 am and as soon as i drove 1 km drizzle's, decided againts risking mud and came back via Sultan Battery.

Meanwhile i am attaching a log sheet of the trip. Onwards is based on instruction by Nithin, return i didnt have my navigator so not at all a detailed one and her absence meant i took many breaks and ciggies

Oh and i managed only two shots from inside the car of the mud path, nothing significant and hence not posting, when i got to the really interesting left overs from the rain i goofed up big time! Opened the window and the whole lens fogged up when i downed the window (humidity) !!

Anyways next weekend again back on the route, have my mom along so not sure which one i would take, anyways wait for weather report also.

EDIT: i did it in my swift d, and its doable in a alto also provided it doesnt rain, since it had rained previous day when i took it and alto was struggling the uphill climb.

[nithinnarayanan]

The road from Kannur to Mattanur (29 Kms) has been fully rubberized. Finishing touch is been given near Mattanur.

As mentioned in my previous report:

1. Mud has been laid for 1.3 kms on the remaining 3 km distance near the hanuman temple (makuta~perumpady stretch)

2. Tarring on the 2 km bad stretch between Perumpady and Gonikpoppal is half complete (1 km is been tarred in the last 4 days)

[kannan666]

Originally Posted by xotiq

Took this route yesterday night. I was told that the road is motorable except when it rains.

I have shared the GPS track, which i logged yesterday, that shows the route and other details from iritty to bangalore.

https://sportstracker.nokia.com/nts/...x.do?id=887116

Nice log xotiq, which car did you use ?

[xotiq]

Thanks kannan, the car was a Swift D. Compared to the S.Bathery-Mananthavady route, there is a big difference in time and distance .

[nithinnarayanan]

Originally Posted by xotiq

Thanks kannan, the car was a Swift D. Compared to the S.Bathery-Mananthavady route, there is a big difference in time and distance .

Were you in a Grey color Swift (with big fog lamps & bluevision headlamps) ?
Did you pass makuta at around 8~8.30 PM ?

[xotiq]

Nithin, yes it was me.

I dont have bluevision, rather HID Bi Xenons (gives light output like daylight so that incoming drivers dont get blinded).

I remember your turbo indica, but think i lost track once half way through the climb.

[sarinkumar]

Originally Posted by Jaggu

Woke up at 5 am and was in double mind if i should do Makutta or stick to my original plans, then i saw thunder and lightening on the horizon. Got out at 5:50 am and as soon as i drove 1 km drizzle's, decided againts risking mud and came back via Sultan Battery.

Meanwhile i am attaching a log sheet of the trip. Onwards is based on instruction by Nithin, return i didnt have my navigator so not at all a detailed one and her absence meant i took many breaks and ciggies

Oh and i managed only two shots from inside the car of the mud path, nothing significant and hence not posting, when i got to the really interesting left overs from the rain i goofed up big time! Opened the window and the whole lens fogged up when i downed the window (humidity) !!

Anyways next weekend again back on the route, have my mom along so not sure which one i would take, anyways wait for weather report also.

EDIT: i did it in my swift d, and its doable in a alto also provided it doesnt rain, since it had rained previous day when i took it and alto was struggling the uphill climb.

The problem now a days is the evening summer rain.

I am not sure if anyone has tried this route

Bangalore -- Mysore -- Gundalpet -- S. Battery -- Thamarassery (right turn one KM before Thamarassery towards Koyilandi) -- Koyilandi -- Vatakara -- Thalassery.

Last year March i tried this route in my M800 and KM was around 400. The road is in good condition and I am sure one can cover this in 7 hour running time (I managed in 800 and I am sure one can do it in 7:30 hours in another vehicle). I did try S. Battery -- Mananthvaadi route. Didn't like this route as there are lots of sharp turnings, result; My daughter started vomiting all along. The Makkutta route is the ideal one to Kannur district. I request all the brave guys keep on updating so that, less brave gusy like me start using the route when it is ready :-)

[Jaggu]

Just heard from someone who took the route that its raining in and around Kannur and added to that last few days news have got out and trucks and buses have taken the route making it really bad. So not recommended for regular hatch and sedans, unless the sun comes out for couple of days and the rollers have done their job.

[kannan666]

Originally Posted by Jaggu

Just heard from someone who took the route that its raining in and around Kannur and added to that last few days news have got out and trucks and buses have taken the route making it really bad. So not recommended for regular hatch and sedans, unless the sun comes out for couple of days and the rollers have done their job.

Thanks for the current update. Am planning to use this route on 1st May, do you think an Omni can make it if it is still raining ?

[Jaggu]

Originally Posted by kannan666

Thanks for the current update. Am planning to use this route on 1st May, do you think an Omni can make it if it is still raining ?

I have no idea, Omni definitely has a better chance of crossing compared to sedans. The issue is the heavy vehicles which carve out a track for themselves, these leave a huge mount in middle of the track and will ground other smaller vehicles. Second will be how they churn the whole mud around.

I will be in Kannur this weekend and if possible will try to get better in person updates.

Only sign of hope is they have automated machinery constantly working and hopefully this will make it a proper mud road inspite of the rains and traffic.

[xotiq]

Originally Posted by Jaggu

I have no idea, Omni definitely has a better chance of crossing compared to sedans.
-----------
Only sign of hope is they have automated machinery constantly working and hopefully this will make it a proper mud road inspite of the rains and traffic.

With the narrow tread tyres that omni has, i would not take the risk. Also the lower vehicle weight might make the tyres not get sufficient grip.

[Jaggu]

Not really xotiq, if the omni has good set of radial tires in stock size its quite capable. I had one for 6 years and used to take it to our estate, which was worse than this route. Once it bogged down completely loaded with coconuts in the rear, thats all. More over its rear wheel drive.

So a moderately loaded omni can do some nice offroading, only thing dont go too aggressive with it.

[kannan666]

Thanks for your inputs guys ! Am eagerly awaiting Jaggu's latest update after this weekend to decide on the route ! To answer some of your queries, the Omni does have radial tyres and she will not be too heavily loaded, 4 adults, two kids and some luggage