[ampere]

Originally Posted by sridhar24

Hey guys i'm not sure if anybody has mentioned about this route recently, but just wanted information on the NH66 route via Bangalore - Krishnagiri - Tiruvannamalai - Thindivanam - Pondi (325KM). Which is lesser by about 50KM than Arcot route.
This seems to be the shortest route of all. It would be helpful if anybody who has done this route can give information on the road conditions if i take NH66.

Its the shortest in distance but longest on headaches. That used to be the default route for all. Later every one started using alternatives, because NH66 is so pathetic between Krishnagiri and Tiruvannamalai. Thats the reason, you dont see any comments about that route for the last few pages.

Its supposed to re-tarred, but that has been on cards for quite some time.

[sridhar24]

Originally Posted by ampere

Its the shortest in distance but longest on headaches. That used to be the default route for all. Later every one started using alternatives, because NH66 is so pathetic between Krishnagiri and Tiruvannamalai. Thats the reason, you dont see any comments about that route for the last few pages.

Its supposed to re-tarred, but that has been on cards for quite some time.

Thats true shortest isn't always the best route. Even I prefer the better route than the shortest one, so i guess i'll also take the advise and choose the Arcot route. Thanks for the useful piece of information

[Fillmore]

Originally Posted by chitbhanu

Hi - @ Fillmore - Is this new route intuitive and easy to follow? Google maps show that we need to take the "right" diversion from the Y junction, go little ahead and take a "U" turn and then take the left turn which takes us on the road parallel to the dry river bed.

Is my understanding right here? Any specific pointers you can share which might be helpful in searching the exact place for the U turn?

Sorry I was out of station and did not check any updates.
Not sure if you have already completed your trip by now.

It is not confusing, you can easily figure it out. There is just a small traffic island that you need to go around.

-Fillmore.

[zulfi hansi]

Planing new year break at Pondy, will go by my Corolla. Guys suggestions greatly needed for which route is good for my car too.

[ampere]

Originally Posted by zulfi hansi

Planing new year break at Pondy, will go by my Corolla. Guys suggestions greatly needed for which route is good for my car too.

Pretty much what others have been taking over the last year. Krishnagiri Arcot Cheyyar Vandasi Tindivanam Pondicherry.

[chitbhanu]

Folks - Just returned from a 4 day trip from Pondicherry. Travelled in my Laura DSG.

While going, took the Krishnagiri-Vellore-Cheyyar-Vandavasi-Tindivanam-Pondicherry route. Traffic was sparse on 26th Dec morning. We started from Outer Ring Road (near Intel) at 7 AM and reached Zest Big Beach at 12.30 PM. 5.5 hours, which included a 20 minute break at Mc Donalds before Krishnagiri.

While returning took the Poindicherry-Tindivanam-Cheyyar-Ranipet-Chitoor-Mulbagal-Hoskote-Bangalore route as had to drop some friends at BIAL. This route was pretty good as well. Road condition is good all through, however its a 2 lane highway till Mulbagal so that reduces the avg speed. The route is very picturesque. We started from Zest at 10.30 AM and were at BIAL at 6 PM, this included a 45 mins break at CCD near Chitoor.

If anyone needs any further details, I will be happy to share my inputs.

Originally Posted by Fillmore

Sorry I was out of station and did not check any updates.
Not sure if you have already completed your trip by now.

It is not confusing, you can easily figure it out. There is just a small traffic island that you need to go around.

-Fillmore.

Hi Fillmore - Tx for your response. Yes have completed the trip. I couldn't spot this turn, so went on the bridge and then took the U turn. Fortunately it didnt mean much of an extra travel!!

[procrj]

After reading through the last few pages on this thread, decided to take Krishnagiri-Vellore-Cheyyar-Vandavasi-Tindivanam-Pondicherry route next weekend. Any latest updates on road conditions and things to watch out for??

[ampere]

Originally Posted by procrj

After reading through the last few pages on this thread, decided to take Krishnagiri-Vellore-Cheyyar-Vandavasi-Tindivanam-Pondicherry route next weekend. Any latest updates on road conditions and things to watch out for??

If you start late and see crowd at A2B or CCD etc, don't stop at Shoolagiri. Continue further and go past Pallikonda toll. You have a CCD on the opposite side of the road at about 5-6km past the toll. The CCD location also houses Hotel Aryas. Its a decent place. Not as good as A2B, but anyday better to the crowd that you may have to deal at Shoolagiri.

[procrj]

Originally Posted by ampere

If you start late and see crowd at A2B or CCD etc, don't stop at Shoolagiri.

Plan to start at 6 am from cunningham road. prefer the Kamat over A2B or CCD.

Continue further and go past Pallikonda toll. You have a CCD on the opposite side of the road at about 5-6km past the toll.

Have been there. This is permanent fixture on my Chennai - Bangalore route as it has a very clean loo

The CCD location also houses Hotel Aryas

Hote Aaryas is just after the toll (when driving from Chennai) while the CCD is further ahead. The food at Aaryas is no nonsense south indian fare.
Good on price and quality

[zteg]

Originally Posted by ampere

If you start late and see crowd at A2B or CCD etc, don't stop at Shoolagiri. Continue further and go past Pallikonda toll. You have a CCD on the opposite side of the road at about 5-6km past the toll. The CCD location also houses Hotel Aryas. Its a decent place. Not as good as A2B, but anyday better to the crowd that you may have to deal at Shoolagiri.

Where exactly is Shoolagiri?

I am planning to travel on 24th from Bamgalore. Starting from Bangalore at 5:00PM. Can you suggest some restaurants for dinner. I dont know where I will reach by dinner time.

[ampere]

Originally Posted by zteg

Where exactly is Shoolagiri?

I am planning to travel on 24th from Bamgalore. Starting from Bangalore at 5:00PM. Can you suggest some restaurants for dinner. I dont know where I will reach by dinner time.

Shoolagiri is the place where you have A2B, CCD, MacDonalds etc on the NH7 after Hosur. You would know it very well. Just that the place is called Shoolagiri!
I think if you are on Hosur by 5PM, I think you reach here by 6 to 6:30. You may want to pack some thing and move on, while having a coffee break. Thats much better I would say.

[zteg]

Originally Posted by ampere

Shoolagiri is the place where you have A2B, CCD, MacDonalds etc on the NH7 after Hosur. You would know it very well. Just that the place is called Shoolagiri!
I think if you are on Hosur by 5PM, I think you reach here by 6 to 6:30. You may want to pack some thing and move on, while having a coffee break. Thats much better I would say.

Thanks ampere. Are there any good restaurants in Vellore?

We are expecting to reach Pondy by 11:00PM. Is this too optimistic?

[ampere]

Originally Posted by zteg

Thanks ampere. Are there any good restaurants in Vellore?

We are expecting to reach Pondy by 11:00PM. Is this too optimistic?

Vellore has the best one! Saravana Bhavan. But you will have to spot the place. You need to get off the 4-lane. On the 4-lane there Aryas after Pallikonda Toll. (Here)

But of late I have seen quite many hotels on the highway after Krishnagiri.

[Geo_Ipe]

Originally Posted by zteg

Thanks ampere. Are there any good restaurants in Vellore?

Vellore has an Aaryas, just by the highway. You'll need to take the second Vellore exit to the left. You'll find it by the service road. Ample car parking available too.

Saravana Bhavan is way off the highway. Will be time consuming and difficult to find.

[goandude]

Hi Guys, this is the first time I will be visiting Pondy. I plan to take the Old Madras road from CV raman Nagar. route:- Kolar chitoor Ranipet Arcot Cheyyar vandavasi Tindivanam P'cherry

For me it would reduce time going through the city to reach Krishnagiri. Admittedly my average speed on the 2 lane undivided rd would be slower from Mulbagal to Arcot as through the krishnagiri route which would be 4 lane. But there will be only 2 tolls here vs more number there.
Any updates on the road conditions on this route?