[ampere]

Originally Posted by motomaverick

Thanks for the info there. I know how the locales are on these highways. Since they do not have much dividers these people just lamely come on the fast lane.

Btw NH-66 between Tindivanam - Pondy is 4 lane or 2 lane?

I have booked near the botanical gardens so i would have to go through the town. Anyways I would be reaching pondy around 12am so traffic no issues

No 4L ! Only 2 Lane. But yes, I also thought TV Malai to Tindivanam is decent. Its only before TV Malai, which is nightmare.

[Lightening-Fast]

Before Tiruvanamali, there are roads in between potholes!!! You can barely cross 60KMPH in this stretch. Its important to get off to great start in terms of mood for any vacation and this can turn out to be that dampener. So avoid this stretch at all costs.

[slakhs]

Tindivanam - Pondy is 4L. It is 90-95% done, just a KM in T'vanam and about 2 KMs pending on Pondi side (as on Nov 1st)

TVMalai to T'Vanam was also good, some patches but overall very good. Again some diversions in T'Vanam town to reach Pondi road.

Slakhs

[motomaverick]

Thanks all for the suggestions. The following is the finalized route.

Blore - Krishnagiri - Vellore - Kanchipuram - Vandavasi - Tindivanam - Pondy

Total: 394 kms
Expected Time: 6.30 hrs

If i should change it to some other route suggestions are welcome.

[ravib]

Originally Posted by slakhs

Tindivanam - Pondy is 4L. It is 90-95% done, just a KM in T'vanam and about 2 KMs pending on Pondi side (as on Nov 1st)

TVMalai to T'Vanam was also good, some patches but overall very good. Again some diversions in T'Vanam town to reach Pondi road.

Slakhs

This is correct. I went to Pondy in 2nd week of November'2010. Tindivanam-Pondy is almost done with 4L. Its a good drive, no hassles.

-Ravi

[motomaverick]

Any ideas about the route from Kanchipuram to Tindivanam? Its SH 116 & 5.

[ampere]

Originally Posted by motomaverick

Any ideas about the route from Kanchipuram to Tindivanam? Its SH 116 & 5.

Easiest is to get on to Chengelpet and take the 45.

[motomaverick]

Originally Posted by ampere

Easiest is to get on to Chengelpet and take the 45.

So you mean to say take the SH58 to Chengelpet and from there the old NH45 to Tindivanam?

But isnt that a round route of about 30 kms. Any reasons for suggesting this route?

[ampere]

Originally Posted by motomaverick

So you mean to say take the SH58 to Chengelpet and from there the old NH45 to Tindivanam?

But isnt that a round route of about 30 kms. Any reasons for suggesting this route?

Even if its 30Km more, you get 4L of 45. Pleasure to drive.

[motomaverick]

Originally Posted by ampere

Even if its 30Km more, you get 4L of 45. Pleasure to drive.

Oh Ok cool so from Chengalpattu to Tindivanam is 4L? Then why does google maps mention it as "old nh 45"? Seeing that I completely ignored that route.

And another good part is from Tindivanam its again 90% 4L all the way to Pondicherry.

[ampere]

Originally Posted by motomaverick

Oh Ok cool so from Chengalpattu to Tindivanam is 4L? Then why does google maps mention it as "old nh 45"? Seeing that I completely ignored that route.

And another good part is from Tindivanam its again 90% 4L all the way to Pondicherry.

Yes fully 4Laned.

Here are the NH45 stats.

Madras-Trichy is NH45 (Called Old NH45) : 4L
Trichy-Madurai - NH45B (4L)
Trichy-Dindigul (Called Old NH45 ) : 4L

Tindivanavam-Pondicherry-Chidambaram-Karaikal-Nagapatnam: NH45A
(4L almost completed for first Leg till Pondicherry)


Trichy-Tanjore-Kumbakonam-Panruti : NH45C (No idean when they will 4L. But it has to happen).

[motomaverick]

Originally Posted by ampere

Yes fully 4Laned.

Here are the NH45 stats.

Madras-Trichy is NH45 (Called Old NH45) : 4L
Trichy-Madurai - NH45B (4L)
Trichy-Dindigul (Called Old NH45 ) : 4L

Tindivanavam-Pondicherry-Chidambaram-Karaikal-Nagapatnam: NH45A
(4L almost completed for first Leg till Pondicherry)


Trichy-Tanjore-Kumbakonam-Panruti : NH45C (No idean when they will 4L. But it has to happen).

Pretty good info there ampere. I guess you travel more often in this sector?

[ampere]

Originally Posted by motomaverick

Pretty good info there ampere. I guess you travel more often in this sector?

Not so often, but been there many times. The place still tempts in spite of many visits!

[slakhs]

^^Just a minor correction. Tindivanam - Pondy is NH 66. It is Villupuram - Pondy which is part of NH 45A. After that Pondy - Cuddalore - Nagapattinam is NH 45A. I dont think there is any plan for 4L of NH45A

Slakhs

[ampere]

Originally Posted by slakhs

^^Just a minor correction. Tindivanam - Pondy is NH 66. It is Villupuram - Pondy which is part of NH 45A. After that Pondy - Cuddalore - Nagapattinam is NH 45A. I dont think there is any plan for 4L of NH45A

Slakhs

Thanks for that correction. Its indeed 66 till Pondicherry. My mistake.
But I think as a part of 45 they should be looking at 4L. Else they would not have named it 45a/b/c. I am not sure about it though.