[suresh_gs]

Originally Posted by ravib

My pleasure Suresh

Glad to know the roads are still in great condition ! The kilometers are also more or less same and not a big detour.

The interesting part is the drive goes between TN & AP.
Tiruttani is in TN and then you enter Nagari in AP and then again you enter TN to reach Pallipattu and again you enter AP to reach Chittoor. So guys with yellow/black board vehicles, please watch out so that you don't end up paying road taxes multiple times


Only little bit of pain is to cross through the Nagari town via Bus stand & Market to reach Pallipattu road. But thats not a big deal as it is only for couple of minutes.

-Ravi

Very well said Ravi. For my onward and return journey, roads were in pristine condition. Even in Nagari, traffic was less and i did not get stuck up due to traffic.
Yes it was great to enter states multiple times. Infact on my return trip, i entered into Tiruthanni town and then asked the locals how to go to Nagari and Chittoor.
One of them suggested me to go via Sholinghur and then to Chittoor. He also said roads were good and that going via Nagari was roundabout route. I was in 2 minds whether to go via Sholinghur or via Nagari. Finally i decided to go via Nagari.

[narayans80]

Originally Posted by suresh_gs

Via Poonamallee, Tiruvallur, Tiruthanni, Nagari, Pallipettu, Chittoor and then the usual Old Madras Route to Bangalore.

How long did you take in sections till Chittoor?

Originally Posted by rki2007

Bangalore- Chittoor- Tiruthani-Tiruvallur-Perumalpattu-Thirumazhisai-Koyembedu-T.Nagar

For Thirumazhisai-T.Nagar either take Outer Ring Road to Vandalur and take GST to T.Nagar or the Poondamalee Bypass-Kattupakkam-SRMC-Porur-Kathipara-T.Nagar. Will prefer the former.

Thirumazhisai-Koyambedu-T.Nagar would be more slow moving.

[suresh_gs]

Originally Posted by narayans80

How long did you take in sections till Chittoor?

I left Nanganallur at 3 PM and went via Poonamallee,Tiruvallur,Thiruthanni, Nagari,Pallipettu and Chittoor to Bangalore. By the time i reached Chittoor it was close to 7:00 PM. This includes 30 min break for tiffin and i entered Poonamallee rather than taking the by pass. I would have lost about 5-10 min because of this.

[luvurride]

Originally Posted by suresh_gs

Yes it was great to enter states multiple times. Infact on my return trip, i entered into Tiruthanni town and then asked the locals how to go to Nagari and Chittoor.
One of them suggested me to go via Sholinghur and then to Chittoor. He also said roads were good and that going via Nagari was roundabout route. I was in 2 minds whether to go via Sholinghur or via Nagari. Finally i decided to go via Nagari.

When I did this route in November, I took Sholinghar, but the stretch after Sholinghar was a little patchy. On hindsight, Nagari seems to be a ugh better option.

[suresh_gs]

Folks
I forgot to mention one more point. During my visit to Mahabalipuram, i observed the 4 laning of ECR was in full swing.
I think this is the best solution to counter the no. of accidents on that stretch.

[ampere]

Originally Posted by suresh_gs

Folks
I forgot to mention one more point. During my visit to Mahabalipuram, i observed the 4 laning of ECR was in full swing.
I think this is the best solution to counter the no. of accidents on that stretch.

Is that only till Mahabalipuram? Or is it planned all the way till Pondicherry?

[suresh_gs]

Originally Posted by ampere

Is that only till Mahabalipuram? Or is it planned all the way till Pondicherry?

I went till Mahabalipuram only and saw the 4 laning work in progress. No idea as to whether the 4 laning is extended up to Puducherry.

[coolclouds]

What is the fastest route from Egmore to Chengalpet for a 10am start?

[ampere]

Folks heading on NH7, please take care. Hosur/Krishnagiri has received quite some rains in the last days. Many places on the highway around Hosur are waterlogged. Especially if you are speeding through, you may suddenly get hit by these waterlogged areas (Esp early morning times when you may see it coming).

[vinodvayyat]

Me with family are coming back to Bangalore after a short vacation tomorrow - 18/04/2015 Saturday. Have concerns about entering Karnataka tomorrow since there is a Bandh call related to Mekedattu Dam issue. But will enter only at or post 7pm. I guess it is safe post 6pm. Does any one disagree?

[ampere]

Originally Posted by vinodvayyat

Me with family are coming back to Bangalore after a short vacation tomorrow - 18/04/2015 Saturday. Have concerns about entering Karnataka tomorrow since there is a Bandh call related to Mekedattu Dam issue. But will enter only at or post 7pm. I guess it is safe post 6pm. Does any one disagree?

That should be OK. Beyond 6PM should be fine. But do take care about rains and water logging.

[Fullrevs]

Drove back from Chennai last night and didnt come across any rain until I entered elevated expressway in Hosur, then came the downpour but didnt trouble me as I had already reached. However on my drive to Chennai on the 15th, there was some heavy rain with almost zero visibility beyond 2-3 metres starting from Ambur. Due to the median plantation drains, there were streams of water coming on the highway which cause heavy loss of traction when coming across those stream at speeds above 70km/hr. A lot of cars were parked on the side of the road due to this and poor visibility.

Do drive with caution especially at nights. Bangalore seems to be getting heavy rainfall post 8pm.

[vinodvayyat]

Originally Posted by ampere

But do take care about rains and water logging.

Thanks @ampere. Still motorable amidst water-logging? Otherwise I will have to plan for bypassing these.

[ampere]

Originally Posted by vinodvayyat

Thanks @ampere. Still motorable amidst water-logging? Otherwise I will have to plan for bypassing these.

Its definitely possible. Just that its logged at one end of the road. You just need to be patient. Hopefully it will subside. Just that it may add to some delays.

[raju2512]

Originally Posted by coolclouds

What is the fastest route from Egmore to Chengalpet for a 10am start?

Egmore - Mount road - Guindy - Tambaram - Chengalpet. With a 10 am start plan for 2.5 hrs. If possible take the suburban train.