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-   -   Bangalore - Pondicherry : Route Queries (https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/route-travel-queries/19838-bangalore-pondicherry-route-queries-92.html)

Thanks ampere. Being a wednesday, i don't expect too much crowd at Chinnar A2B. Ofcourse, Saravana bhavan is also next good option.

I am not returning to Bangalore from Pondy via Thirukoilur. I'll be driving to KMU from Pondy further and return to Bangalore from KMU.

Hence the need to stop at Thirukoilur in onward journey.

-Ravi

Then I am not sure of any good hotels. You will need to hunt around for any at Villupuram.

Ravi, When i went to Tirulloilur some time back, I remember having lunch at a hotel that was pretty close to the Ulagalandha Perumal temple. Not sure of the name though.
Once you enter Tirukkoilur, you can check with the locals.

I am riding off to Pondicherry on the 23rd May and this is the route I plan to take: Bangalore-Vellore-Arcot-Cheyyar-Vandavasi-Tindivanam-Pondicherry. I need info on the road conditions from Vellore to Pondicherry. Has anyone who has traveled on this stretch recently please let me know.
Also, I would be staying in Pondicherry for one night so I wanted to know what is a decent hotel to stay at. I will be travelling alone and am not looking at any expensive place for the night.
Your timely inputs are much appreciated.

Yep, This is the most preferred route to Pondicherry. We have bypasses for all the towns enroute.

As Suresh said, all the three towns (Cheyyar, Vandavasi and Tindivanam) have bypasses but...

- The ones at Cheyyar an Vandavasi are not at all marked. See Google map routes provided in earlier posts
- The most confusing is Tindivanam. There is a nice bypass. But here you will the bypass pointing on to Chennai and the board says head straight into town for Pondicherry.
- Don't do that. Take the bypass which says Chennai. Once you hit NH45, drive towards Tindivanam/Trichy. You will see the NH66 exit some distance ahead.

That board indicating Pondicherry straight has confused many and they all end up getting into Tindivanam town.

You could try Hotel Surguru. It is a decent enough place not more than 2k a night and has a good vegetarian restaurant.

Thanks for the route info suresh and ampere. How are the roads btw? Are they as smooth as the Bangalore - Chennai roads? Since I will be on a bike, would want to know if there is anything about the road that I should be aware of for example: speed breakers, bad patches/stretches of road. It's good to be prepared and know what to encounter on the way than to be in for a surprise. Thanks again for your timely inputs.

They are in superb condition. Yes there are humps in these towns, but other wise they are amazing to ride on. Even with sedate speeds and an early morning start you should not take more than five and a half hours for drive time.

Gentlemen, I'm planning a ride to Pondicherry for an overnighter very soon, probably at the end of this month.
I have the HSRP 'IND' Number Plate on my bike. Now, I've been hearing stories that the local Pondy cops are cracking down on vehicles with IND plates. Mine's not fake, it's been issued by the RTO after paying the government regulated fees.

That being said, do I need to worry about cops flagging me down? If yes, is there any preventive action that I can take?

If the number plate is issued by the RTO and if it complies to the specifications of the ammedned rule 50 Central Motor Vehicle Rules, then there is nothing to worry about. The checking was brought into place due to the large number of fake HSRP on the streets.
Anyway if the cops still want to catch you stating that your number plate is not correct, there is no preventing that. They could catch you for any whimsical reason they feel like. As much as I've heard the checking is not happening on any out of state vehicles and it is mostly vehicles registered locally that they are after.
If you still feel that there could be an issue, I suggest you mask the Ind Hologram that is on the number plate with a white tape or something like that.

If your number plate is a genuine HSRP, then you don't need to worry as far Pondy is concerned. Almost all vehicles in Pondy have genuine HSRP. Just check if your vehicle paper (RC) has a mention that the vehicle has been fitted with HSRP and point it in case you face issues with Pondy cops (which I guess won't happen at all! ) You may face issues in TN where there is a crackdown on fancy IND plates (Genuine ones won't create any problem )
Safe drive, Hope you enjoy your trip
Cheers :)

Guys,

I need your help.
I am planning to travel to Pondicherry from Bangalore on 22nd May for 3 days.
I will be hiring innova for this trip. The cab guys tell me that I will have to
pay 2 permits
1) Tamilnadu permit for Rs 1000
2) Pondicherry permit for Rs 1000

Please confirm if permit for 3 days is indeed this high or cab guys are inflating the permit cost.

Thanks
rawnak

Might be true. If the Innova is a KA registered then permit needs to be obtained for state crossing. KA-TN is a sure yes. Not sure about the Pondicherry part. May want to confirm with others. Also does the amount depend on vehicle type? I think for a Dzire I paid to the order of 500-700. (I think) for KA-TN.

Will share my personal experience. i did use a TN Tempo traveller and had to go to Thirunallar which is part of Pondy UT. The driver promptly informed about getting the permit as well as consequence of not getting. I told him to get the permit just before entering Pondy. The moment we entered Pondy city, cops stopped our vehicle and checked for permit.

As far as Pondicherry is concerned there are traffic cops who are watchful of other state cabs and it is no way that you can escape their eyes. The fines are heavy. It is better to get the permit both for TN and Pondy.

For permit amount, you can accompany your cab driver to RTO office before entering TN and Pondy. During 2012, remember paying Rs.500/- for Tempo traveller as permit for Pondy.