[NowNew7]

Originally Posted by unbeknown_guy

Hey NowNew7, I am planning the BLR-LKO trip on 6-8th Nov '20. Glad I landed on your post! I am not aware of the conditions of the default route showing in Google map (BLR-HYD-Adilabad-Nagpur-Jabalpur-Katni-Pryagraj-LKO), wondering is it best avoided altogether?

A known family did the same trip recently over 3 days with stops at Hyderabad and Jabalpur. Came to know the route has some patches under construction and a longish stretch after Nagpur is 2 lanes going through villages for quite a bit but is doable. We had opted to come via Jhansi purely because of reported road conditions and the fact that it is 4 lanes. The spouse was happy maintaining the top speed possible without triggering the speed alarm on the Sagar-Jhansi stretch

Originally Posted by unbeknown_guy

I'll be driving my Nexon XZ+(P). How did yours hold up during the bad patches?

Our lady held up like a champ! We even camped overnight in the vehicle with A/C on for a few hours! We did not do any service except ensuring a full tank and correct tyre pressure before starting. The reason is that our Nov 2019 vehicle was just driven around 2K kms due to the COVID situation and had been taken for 2nd free service in June.

Originally Posted by unbeknown_guy

What are the suggested rest stops along the route?

I'm unable to recommend firsthand, as me and spouse interchanged and drove non-stop.

Originally Posted by unbeknown_guy

This would be my first long-distance road trip hence want to gather as much input/advice I can.

All the best and wish you many more ahead!

Originally Posted by unbeknown_guy

Would you/others suggest to carry along a puncture kit/tyre inflator? Other suggestions are welcome!

Puncture kit, tyre inflator IMHO are a bit of overkill. We bought and kept a jumper cable and a tow cable as you can't push start an automatic! Apart from that just ensure the jack and tool kit are in good condition and the spare tyre is also pressure checked before starting.

I'm happy to help and share pointers, but would strongly recommend for you to check out the FB Nexon Owner's Group and FB Whitefield Rising Group for the extensive details shared by a few drivers who took the same route. That's what worked the best for me, and in fact my final plans were guided thanks to someone who had done the route a couple of times just before me.

Stay safe, as there is no social distancing evident on the way. Happy Travels!

[sudeepg]

Originally Posted by sudeepg

Drove from Bangalore to Thrissur via Hosur - Salem - Walayar. I had obtained entry pass and TamilNadu ePasses. There was absolutely no checking anywhere whatsoever, sailed through both check points like any other normal holiday drive.

Returned from Thrissur via Walayar - Salem - Dharmapuri - Hosur.

At Walayar, a cop asked us to enter a service lane where another cop asked me where I was traveling to. I was let go when I told him I was headed to Bangalore. For other travelers whose destination was TN, they had to get out and check in at the roadside counter.

There was no checking whatsoever while entering Bangalore (as expected).

[Rangy62]

Planning to go to Tirupathi by road by 22nd Nov, after my quarantine period. Any passes to be taken to enter AP. If necessary a link would be very useful. Thanks!!!

[ravib]

Originally Posted by Rangy62

Planning to go to Tirupathi by road by 22nd Nov, after my quarantine period. Any passes to be taken to enter AP. If necessary a link would be very useful. Thanks!!!

No pass is required for AP. No restrictions, so you can simply drive in and out of AP without any hassle.

-Ravi

[UMe]

There has been reports that covid negative certificate is now mandatory for the people coming from other states to Kerala. Any info when this would get implemented or any first hand information on this, from those who travelled recently?
Link1
Link2

[mykal shoemaker]

We travelled on Bangalore- Madurai- Thenkasi- Aryankavu (checkpost) route to Kerala on 22nd October. There were no checking/stopping till Shengottai border. There we had to get down and fill basic travel information to TN side check post. Then at Kerala side, there was a detailed entry process. There were 3 counters, where we had to give ,our registration number (Kerala covid portal) , vehicle no, no. of passengers etc. They issued 2 passes with 1 week quarantine information. Also placed a sticker on car which says "inter state traveler. High risk category".

[ninjatalli]

Is section 144 (/and night curfew) still in place? Asking specifically for Mumbai/Thane districts.

[balenoed_]

Originally Posted by UMe

There has been reports that covid negative certificate is now mandatory for the people coming from other states to Kerala.

This has been circulating on WhatsApp forwards as well.

And this sounds ridiculous, as if the people coming from other states are the major contributors of the cases in KL. Irony is that, people travel all over within the state north to south and vice versa without any restrictions, but actually could be the major contributors of the spread than the outsiders.

[UMe]

Originally Posted by balenoed_

And this sounds ridiculous, as if the people coming from other states are the major contributors of the cases in KL.

Yes, indeed ridiculous. It is also putting further pressure on already worn-out ASHA workers and other covid officials.

Originally Posted by mykal shoemaker

Then at Kerala side, there was a detailed entry process.

This seems like an elaborate checking at the Kerala border and lot of documentation. I am more worried about catching the virus at those checkpost counters than anywhere else.
I was also informed by one of my relative that there was some rush at the kootupozha (makutta) kerala border and lot of people were very causal and without mask and so on.

Is this rush normal at this time of the day.

[TheVaas]

Originally Posted by ninjatalli

Is section 144 (/and night curfew) still in place? Asking specifically for Mumbai/Thane districts.

On paper, yes to both. But the chai shops and lunch places are teeming with people - so clearly 144 is not enforced strictly.

I've travelled/ridden late (work-related) in the night between Thane and Mumbai and there was no stopping/checking whatsoever with regards to the curfew timings; but they put up those "check-post barricades" that I navigated through.

I enquired with the cops stationed near my place about the same. They just stated that "these laws are for our safety. If a situation arises where you need to step out for any activity then as long as you're careful and follow the guidelines (mask, social distancing, santizer etc), then you shouldn't worry so much."

[xotiq]

Originally Posted by UMe

Yes, indeed ridiculous. It is also putting further pressure on already worn-out ASHA workers and other covid officials.

Is this rush normal at this time of the day.

We transited through this checkpost couple of weeks back enroute to Kannur. By the time we reached at 1130, luckily there were only 2 vehicles parked in front of us just before the bridge. By the time we started moving after 15+ minutes in batches of 5 vehicles, there were close to 30-40 vehicles lined up. Next stop Kiliyanthara for the health check which took 10 minutes. (3 counters- 1 which sort of looked like a reception, another for validating pass, and the last for sample collection).

So yes, this is normal.

[unbeknown_guy]

Originally Posted by NowNew7

A known family did the same trip recently over 3 days with stops at Hyderabad and Jabalpur. Came to know the route has some patches under construction and a longish stretch after Nagpur is 2 lanes going through villages for quite a bit but is doable. We had opted to come via Jhansi purely because of reported road conditions and the fact that it is 4 lanes. The spouse was happy maintaining the top speed possible without triggering the speed alarm on the Sagar-Jhansi stretch

Thanks for sharing! I didn't want to drive >700 odd km in a day (considering I'd be the sole driver) hence thinking to take this route.

Originally Posted by NowNew7

Puncture kit, tyre inflator IMHO are a bit of overkill. We bought and kept a jumper cable and a tow cable as you can't push start an automatic! Apart from that just ensure the jack and tool kit are in good condition and the spare tyre is also pressure checked before starting.

I'm happy to help and share pointers, but would strongly recommend for you to check out the FB Nexon Owner's Group and FB Whitefield Rising Group for the extensive details shared by a few drivers who took the same route. That's what worked the best for me, and in fact my final plans were guided thanks to someone who had done the route a couple of times just before me.

Stay safe, as there is no social distancing evident on the way. Happy Travels!

Thanks! I'll crawl through these FB groups. Hopefully, it will help me finalize the plan as well Thanks again for sharing your experience and providing your feedback!

[Garth]

Originally Posted by UMe

There has been reports that covid negative certificate is now mandatory for the people coming from other states to Kerala. Any info when this would get implemented or any first hand information on this, from those who travelled recently?
Link1
Link2

Its strange actually. Apart from these two sources, I haven't seen this news anywhere else. Not on the news channels, not in the newspapers. There are no guidelines related to this in the Kerala government health department sites. Also as per Centre's guidelines there should be no hindrance on movement of people, so not sure how this will play if the reports are true.

[pms]

Hi, Am travelling to Mananthavady, Wayanad on 29th Oct for 3 nights with family. Applied for "short visit" in Covid Jagratha portal and got it approved in a minute once all details were entered. The Visit Permit link came as an SMS to my registered mobile number.
Had to upload a self declaration as supporting document.
This is my first outstation drive post 8 months. Hope to enjoy a good drive and nice vacation.

[balenoed_]

Originally Posted by Garth

Also as per Centre's guidelines there should be no hindrance on movement of people, so not sure how this will play if the reports are true.

It is a very subjective thing. What is being understood so far is that KL is not stopping/restricting any inward movements. A registration system is in place to track the people and now what it looks like is a screening too that will be established at the check post.

As per a report from someone who traveled yesterday via Kootupuzha check post (Kannur route), Rapid Antigen test is done for all the passengers (<60 yr old. Above 60, need not step out of the vehicle).