Bangalore - Pondicherry : Route Queries

manjubp · 22nd December 2006, 17:39

Hi,

I am planning is visit Pondicherry first time, either for New year (may not be, as no hotel bookings are available and also may be too much of crowd) on Jan 26th long weekend, with family(Mother, Spouse and Son). I will drive only during day, just to ensure that my son's sleep is not disturbed, though I am more comfortably driving on highways during night, which I have done many times on old Blr-madras and blr-mysore road.

I would appreciate any ones inputs on the following queries.

1. Which is the best route (info like distance, quality of the road, traffic pattern, by passes options, travel time, etc., appreciated), no plan of staying or visiting any place other than Pondy.
a. Bangalore-Krishnagiri-Chennai-Pondicherry
b. Bangalore-Krishnagiri-Kanchipuram-Mahaballipuram-Pondicherry (Avoiding Chennai)
c. Bangalore-Krishnagiri-Thiruvannamalai-Pondicherry

2. Preferred Petrol stations, I prefer Shell, IOC, HP in sequence.

3. Preferred places for taking break (first one can be at Krishnagiri, unless we opt for bypass, if there is one)

4. Any other info, as I am taking my new Swift after its 1,000Kms of first service, obviously driving after 3 days, at least to ensure that service guys have not done any thing unwanted(Thanks to my experience with previous car, Indica by concorde guys

).

PS: I have gone through the thread A Guide on Essentials of a Long Drive

regards,
-manju

vikram_d · 22nd December 2006, 19:25

I had been to Pondicherry in february this year and I would not recommend the Thiruvannamalai route as at that time it was under going repairs and was in a very bad condition. I am not sure how it is now. I would recommend the route 'A' that you have chosen. It is slightly long but a great road all the way through. You could take the route 'B' also but the stretch from Kanchipuram to Mahabalipuram is a state highway. Dont know how good or bad a condition it will be in.

You might not find too many Shell bunks but IOC and others are a dime a dozen.

Breaks depends on personal choice and also on time of break. Also the Krishnagiri bypass has loads of restaurants where you can take a break.

rjstyles69 · 22nd December 2006, 19:52

Vikram I drove back from Pondy to Bangalore about 2 weeks back via Thiruvannamalai and the road is pretty gud except for a few bad patches.

@Manjubp if you decide on option C you could fill in at Thiruvannamalai after the temple near the railway crossing ,they sell good fuel(IOC) and I have filled fuel many a times on my drives at this place.
Once again option C saves you a couple of kilometers also and it all comes down to which way you are comfortable driving.

Via chennai yes the drive is unbeatable.

If you drive via Thiruvannamalai and have time you can stop Gingee to take a view of the fort also.Am posting a pic of the same if you wished to stop by.

Happy Driving mate !!

manjubp · 22nd December 2006, 21:22

From what I understand going thorugh other threads, through chennai BLR-Pondy will be 360+150 = 510Kms, where as through Thrivannamallai it is around 320KMs...so almost 60% more.

@rjstyles69 Thanks for the information. Sure if I pass through Gingee I will take a break and take view of the fort.
Appreciate comments/feedback.

regards,
-manju

stevie · 22nd December 2006, 21:40

route c is the best to take.yes i did the same route a few weeks ago and its not too bad.yes there are a few bad patches but manageable.overall good route.

hvkumar · 22nd December 2006, 23:04

The road via Krishnagiri and Tiruvannamalai is teh shortest and best. The road between Krishnagiri and Tiruvannamalai has some bad patches, but nothing srious.

You do not have to enter Krishnagiri town. Continue on NH7 at the beginning of Krishnagiri Bypass, go on for 2 kms and turn left into the Chennai road (GQ). 1 km down this road, turn right into the Tiruvannamalai road. It is one straight drive all the way toPondicherry via T'Malai, Gingee, Tindivanam (where you bisect NH45 - the Chennai-Trichy road). Pleas ebe warned that facilities after Krishnagiri are inadequate and night driving may not be advisable. T'Malai is a good break - being a temple town, has lots of hotels, etc. There are no Shell or Reliance petrol pumps on this route. remember to tank up in Pondy since petrol is very very cheap here.

esteem_lover · 23rd December 2006, 09:16

i think b is the best option. never mind the extra km, you will still save time & enjoy the drive in your new car. be very wary about petrol pumps. only fill in towns. from blore, you should comfortably reach chennai or kanchipuram for a refill & the next one should be at pondicherry.

regarding the break, i think krishnagiri is a little too early, maybe ambur.

marutiblr · 25th December 2006, 15:24

Route C should be good. I went to Thiruvannamalai for the xmas weekend, started at 3PM from B'lore, took 5.5hrs, heavy traffic near electronic city, reached Krishnagiri at 6PM and T'malai at 8.30PM. Road was ok to drive in nights. This can be a good breakpoint as well, as we dont have bypass for the city anyway. Pondy would be 100KMs from there, not sure of road conditions beyond that. While coming, I drove in the afternoon, could reach my home within 4hrs.

finneyp · 25th December 2006, 20:04

Check my B'lore - Pondy travelogue done in Oct'06 here:

http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/travel...ndicherry.html

Hope it helps!

hvkumar · 25th December 2006, 20:16

My friend drove from Bangalore to Pondicherry yesterday via the Krishnagiri/Tiruvannamalai route and he reported fair conditions in the road. He did the journey in around 5 hours.

nadigar · 22nd September 2008, 12:46

Searched the threads but no update on latest conditions.

Planned route:
BLR -> Hosur -> Krishnagiri -> Thiruvanamalai -> Chengi ( Gingi ) -> Tindivanam ->

On the way back, we may take Pondi-Mahabs-Kancheepuram-B'lore.

I hope weather would be fine during 1st wk of oct.
Thanks
Nadigar

TBHP Support: Please continue this query in one of the existing thread

sriturl · 22nd September 2008, 13:47

check out recent travelogue of akroy, and subsequent discussion, there is a lot of information there.

also check this discussion about getting onto GQ(Attibele/Hosur) because of road work at Attibele at this place.
http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/route-...-chittoor.html
Prefer taking NH207 to join Attibele, depending on which side of city you stay.

akroy · 22nd September 2008, 14:01

I hope the following thread helps:

http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/travel...ndicherry.html

Abhi

laluks · 22nd September 2008, 17:17

Quote:

Originally Posted by nadigar

Searched the threads but no update on latest conditions.

Planned route:
BLR -> Hosur -> Krishnagiri -> Thiruvanamalai -> Chengi ( Gingi ) -> Tindivanam ->

On the way back, we may take Pondi-Mahabs-Kancheepuram-B'lore.

I hope weather would be fine during 1st wk of oct.
Thanks
Nadigar

Route 1 is I guess the shortest route to Pondi. But from Krishnagiri till THiruannamalai, road is not good at some stretches. Pot holes are big, but can adjust.

Mahabalipuram kanchipuram route via chengalpettu is small roads, but doable. No issues - On september 1st while driving through there was some diversions before reaching Kanchipuram town and the NH. Just ask someone there, its easy to find out.

Good plan.

nadigar · 23rd September 2008, 13:29

Thanks guys, will take rt 1.

22nd December 2006, 17:39	#1
manjubp BHPian Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Bangalore Posts: 679 Thanked: 625 Times	Bangalore - Pondicherry : Route Queries Hi, I am planning is visit Pondicherry first time, either for New year (may not be, as no hotel bookings are available and also may be too much of crowd) on Jan 26th long weekend, with family(Mother, Spouse and Son). I will drive only during day, just to ensure that my son's sleep is not disturbed, though I am more comfortably driving on highways during night, which I have done many times on old Blr-madras and blr-mysore road. I would appreciate any ones inputs on the following queries. 1. Which is the best route (info like distance, quality of the road, traffic pattern, by passes options, travel time, etc., appreciated), no plan of staying or visiting any place other than Pondy. a. Bangalore-Krishnagiri-Chennai-Pondicherry b. Bangalore-Krishnagiri-Kanchipuram-Mahaballipuram-Pondicherry (Avoiding Chennai) c. Bangalore-Krishnagiri-Thiruvannamalai-Pondicherry 2. Preferred Petrol stations, I prefer Shell, IOC, HP in sequence. 3. Preferred places for taking break (first one can be at Krishnagiri, unless we opt for bypass, if there is one) 4. Any other info, as I am taking my new Swift after its 1,000Kms of first service, obviously driving after 3 days, at least to ensure that service guys have not done any thing unwanted(Thanks to my experience with previous car, Indica by concorde guys ). PS: I have gone through the thread A Guide on Essentials of a Long Drive regards, -manju
	() Thanks

22nd December 2006, 19:25	#2
vikram_d Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Bangalore Posts: 2,422 Thanked: 1,188 Times	I had been to Pondicherry in february this year and I would not recommend the Thiruvannamalai route as at that time it was under going repairs and was in a very bad condition. I am not sure how it is now. I would recommend the route 'A' that you have chosen. It is slightly long but a great road all the way through. You could take the route 'B' also but the stretch from Kanchipuram to Mahabalipuram is a state highway. Dont know how good or bad a condition it will be in. You might not find too many Shell bunks but IOC and others are a dime a dozen. Breaks depends on personal choice and also on time of break. Also the Krishnagiri bypass has loads of restaurants where you can take a break. Last edited by vikram_d : 22nd December 2006 at 19:28.
	() Thanks

22nd December 2006, 19:52	#3
rjstyles69 Senior - BHPian Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Bengalooru.. Posts: 4,344 Thanked: 845 Times View My Garage	Vikram I drove back from Pondy to Bangalore about 2 weeks back via Thiruvannamalai and the road is pretty gud except for a few bad patches. @Manjubp if you decide on option C you could fill in at Thiruvannamalai after the temple near the railway crossing ,they sell good fuel(IOC) and I have filled fuel many a times on my drives at this place. Once again option C saves you a couple of kilometers also and it all comes down to which way you are comfortable driving. Via chennai yes the drive is unbeatable. If you drive via Thiruvannamalai and have time you can stop Gingee to take a view of the fort also.Am posting a pic of the same if you wished to stop by. Happy Driving mate !!
	() Thanks

22nd December 2006, 21:22	#4
manjubp BHPian Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Bangalore Posts: 679 Thanked: 625 Times	From what I understand going thorugh other threads, through chennai BLR-Pondy will be 360+150 = 510Kms, where as through Thrivannamallai it is around 320KMs...so almost 60% more. @rjstyles69 Thanks for the information. Sure if I pass through Gingee I will take a break and take view of the fort. Appreciate comments/feedback. regards, -manju
	() Thanks

22nd December 2006, 21:40	#5
stevie BHPian Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: bangalore Posts: 118 Thanked: Once View My Garage	route c is the best to take.yes i did the same route a few weeks ago and its not too bad.yes there are a few bad patches but manageable.overall good route.
	() Thanks

22nd December 2006, 23:04	#6
hvkumar Senior - BHPian Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Mumbai Posts: 7,369 Thanked: 3,466 Times	The road via Krishnagiri and Tiruvannamalai is teh shortest and best. The road between Krishnagiri and Tiruvannamalai has some bad patches, but nothing srious. You do not have to enter Krishnagiri town. Continue on NH7 at the beginning of Krishnagiri Bypass, go on for 2 kms and turn left into the Chennai road (GQ). 1 km down this road, turn right into the Tiruvannamalai road. It is one straight drive all the way toPondicherry via T'Malai, Gingee, Tindivanam (where you bisect NH45 - the Chennai-Trichy road). Pleas ebe warned that facilities after Krishnagiri are inadequate and night driving may not be advisable. T'Malai is a good break - being a temple town, has lots of hotels, etc. There are no Shell or Reliance petrol pumps on this route. remember to tank up in Pondy since petrol is very very cheap here.
	() Thanks

23rd December 2006, 09:16	#7
esteem_lover Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Madras/Py Posts: 7,556 Thanked: 513 Times View My Garage	i think b is the best option. never mind the extra km, you will still save time & enjoy the drive in your new car. be very wary about petrol pumps. only fill in towns. from blore, you should comfortably reach chennai or kanchipuram for a refill & the next one should be at pondicherry. regarding the break, i think krishnagiri is a little too early, maybe ambur.
	() Thanks

25th December 2006, 15:24	#8
marutiblr Newbie Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Bangalore Posts: 8 Thanked: 0 Times	Route C should be good. I went to Thiruvannamalai for the xmas weekend, started at 3PM from B'lore, took 5.5hrs, heavy traffic near electronic city, reached Krishnagiri at 6PM and T'malai at 8.30PM. Road was ok to drive in nights. This can be a good breakpoint as well, as we dont have bypass for the city anyway. Pondy would be 100KMs from there, not sure of road conditions beyond that. While coming, I drove in the afternoon, could reach my home within 4hrs.
	() Thanks

25th December 2006, 20:04	#9
finneyp Senior - BHPian Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Bangalore Posts: 2,762 Thanked: 400 Times View My Garage	Check my B'lore - Pondy travelogue done in Oct'06 here: http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/travel...ndicherry.html Hope it helps!
	() Thanks

25th December 2006, 20:16	#10
hvkumar Senior - BHPian Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Mumbai Posts: 7,369 Thanked: 3,466 Times	My friend drove from Bangalore to Pondicherry yesterday via the Krishnagiri/Tiruvannamalai route and he reported fair conditions in the road. He did the journey in around 5 hours.
	() Thanks

22nd September 2008, 12:46	#11
nadigar BHPian Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Bangalore Posts: 27 Thanked: 46 Times	B'lore-Pondi road conditions pls Searched the threads but no update on latest conditions. Planned route: BLR -> Hosur -> Krishnagiri -> Thiruvanamalai -> Chengi ( Gingi ) -> Tindivanam -> On the way back, we may take Pondi-Mahabs-Kancheepuram-B'lore. I hope weather would be fine during 1st wk of oct. Thanks Nadigar TBHP Support: Please continue this query in one of the existing thread Last edited by Jaggu : 22nd September 2008 at 13:17. Reason: Please continue this query in one of the existing thread
	() Thanks

22nd September 2008, 13:47	#12
sriturl BHPian Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: KA-03 Posts: 523 Thanked: 91 Times	check out recent travelogue of akroy, and subsequent discussion, there is a lot of information there. also check this discussion about getting onto GQ(Attibele/Hosur) because of road work at Attibele at this place. http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/route-...-chittoor.html Prefer taking NH207 to join Attibele, depending on which side of city you stay. Last edited by sriturl : 22nd September 2008 at 13:53.
	() Thanks

22nd September 2008, 14:01	#13
akroy Senior - BHPian Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: San Francisco, CA, USA Posts: 2,424 Thanked: 88 Times View My Garage	I hope the following thread helps: http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/travel...ndicherry.html Abhi
	() Thanks

23rd September 2008, 13:29	#15
nadigar BHPian Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Bangalore Posts: 27 Thanked: 46 Times	Thanks guys, will take rt 1.
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