[SuperSlick]

Wow! it sure is encouraging to know that OMR is not in that bad state. If my travel plan is finalized, I am thinking of taking the GQ on the way to BLR with the route suggested in the above post by ampere and OMR on the return trip to Chennai. That should really be a clock-wise round trip

[sriviswa]

Hi,

I need to travel to Hebbal (near Sanjay Nagar CBI bus stop) in Bangalore in a couple of weeks from Chennai to visit my aunt. She tells me that to reach her place, the easier option is to take the NH4 (kolar, chittoor, ranipet, poonamallee) route as it would avoid going through a lot of bangalore city traffic. But, given the advice here, I am thinking of sticking to the Krishnagiri route. Is there a way to avoid the b'lore city traffic still? I have never driven to bangalore before and dread the confusing one-ways there.

[binand]

Originally Posted by sriviswa

Hi,

I need to travel to Hebbal (near Sanjay Nagar CBI bus stop) in Bangalore in a couple of weeks from Chennai to visit my aunt. She tells me that to reach her place, the easier option is to take the NH4 (kolar, chittoor, ranipet, poonamallee) route as it would avoid going through a lot of bangalore city traffic. But, given the advice here, I am thinking of sticking to the Krishnagiri route. Is there a way to avoid the b'lore city traffic still? I have never driven to bangalore before and dread the confusing one-ways there.

I'd imagine the advice would be to stick to the GQ route (Vellore/Krishnagiri/Hosur). I am also interested in the how-to-bypass-Bangalore query. The NICE Ring Road is what everyone recommends (see: National Highway 4 to Service Rd - Google Maps) but can't find any up-to-date information on the status of the intersection with Bannerghata Road. Google Maps doesn't show a nice picture: Google Maps

I will be doing Mumbai-Chennai next Sunday, so would really like an update on this.

[ampere]

If you are dpong Mumbai Chennai, NICE road is useful, as it leads you from NH7 to NH4 directly. So that is the route one has to take.

But to reach Hebbal, definitely NH4 via Chittoor is an easier option, as once you reach ORR junction take right and drive to Hebbal. (But there are many constructions on going).

If you want to reach Hebbal from Hosur side, going through the city is the fastest.

In fact from Governor House/Hotel Chaluklya, its a zero traffic drive. But you should know the route. (Its one straight road)

[luxative]

Hi,
Just wondering since @ampere mentions NH4 as an option worth considering...
Can anyone share an update on the road condition of this road. I'm driving Chennai - B'lore on May 13th and was hoping to take the Chittoor - Kolar road to get to my destination, Whitefield.
Thanks
Lux

[luxative]

Hi Superslick,
Just wondering if you did that trip as planned.
If so, can you share any update on the OMR between B'lore & Chittoor.
If not, safe travels.
Lux

Originally Posted by luxative

I'm driving Chennai - B'lore on May 13th and was hoping to take the Chittoor - Kolar road

I am also eager to try Kolar-Chittoor route for my next Chennai visit after 6 years. Kindly update here after your trip, luxative.

[libranof1987]

Originally Posted by ampere

But to reach Hebbal, definitely NH4 via Chittoor is an easier option, as once you reach ORR junction take right and drive to Hebbal. (But there are many constructions on going).

If you want to reach Hebbal from Hosur side, going through the city is the fastest.

Originally Posted by luxative

Can anyone share an update on the road condition of this road. I'm driving Chennai - B'lore on May 13th and was hoping to take the Chittoor - Kolar road to get to my destination, Whitefield.
Thanks
Lux

I have travelled B'lore-Chennai extensively last year and as recent as January. The Chittor road in not in that good a condition; as in, it has those intermittent patches where a small layer has come off. To add to it, it doesn't have a divider so traffic can get haywire.

I wouldn't suggest that route actually.

Originally Posted by sriviswa

Hi,

I need to travel to Hebbal (near Sanjay Nagar CBI bus stop) in Bangalore in a couple of weeks from Chennai to visit my aunt. She tells me that to reach her place, the easier option is to take the NH4 (kolar, chittoor, ranipet, poonamallee) route as it would avoid going through a lot of bangalore city traffic. But, given the advice here, I am thinking of sticking to the Krishnagiri route. Is there a way to avoid the b'lore city traffic still? I have never driven to bangalore before and dread the confusing one-ways there.

What time of the day and which day of the week would you be travelling; that will play the most imp. role in whether you can avoid B'lore traffic.

It would be best to come through the Chennai-B'lore route (via Hosur); continue on NICE road. You could take the Electronic City exit and come via ORR. Longer and traffic yes but you Chennai-B'lore journey will be pleasant.

[DWind]

There is one more thread discussing Chennai-Bangalore routes. Request mods to merge both the thread

[ampere]

@libran,

I do agree with you on the preferences of NH46 ovet NH4. A person I know, consistently used to do Chennai-Bangalore. And since his destination was close to OMR, he used to take the NH4. The same reason as others mentioned (Getting in and out of Bangalore is easy). Last time he also gave up. That was primarily because of slush/diversions on the Bangalore-Kolar section.

I think he was he always OK with the rest of the route given the advantage at Bangalore. So if the Kolar work is almost done, then for a day time, it make sense to use that road. But night time it may not be all that good.

Also there does not seem to be any plan on NHAI to extend rest of the pending NH4 into a 4L. Not sure, what is the take here.

[libranof1987]

Originally Posted by ampere

Also there does not seem to be any plan on NHAI to extend rest of the pending NH4 into a 4L. Not sure, what is the take here.

I guess the existing B'lore-Hosur-Chennai more than suffices the need for a good highway between Chennai and B'lore. And this one is tolled so I doubt if extension of the NH4 and the tolling that too would be such a good idea.

IIRC, NH4 passes quite regularly through towns, right? Especially, the part that passes through AP is a mess. Although Nh46 passes thru' towns too, the roads are decently wide with service lanes on either side.

[ampere]

But that is what I fail to understand. I still believe that NH4 freight is much higher (Bangalore-Channai) than the GQ (Folks please correct if I am wrong).

Hence I was think it might be a good idea for 4L.
Also then why four lane Bangalore-Kolar?

Originally Posted by libranof1987

I guess the existing B'lore-Hosur-Chennai more than suffices the need for a good highway between Chennai and B'lore. And this one is tolled so I doubt if extension of the NH4 and the tolling that too would be such a good idea.

Bangalore-Kolar-Mulabagilu [and further into AP] 4-laning would serve not only Chennai-bound traffic in a shorter route, but also Bangalore-Tirupati/Vijayawada traffic.

Originally Posted by ampere

I still believe that NH4 freight is much higher (Bangalore-Channai) than the GQ

In India, the truck drivers always prefer shorter, toll-free roads. Bangalore-Kolar-Chittoor-Chennai route would surely become a expressway once the work on the proposed Chennai-Bangalore-Mumbai industrial corridor is taken up on priority.

[libranof1987]

I can't comment of the traffic; maybe many (especially trucks) prefer NH4 because it is not tolled. Btw, I have seen very few private vehicles on NH4; it is mostly the truck traffic.

About the 4-laning; you never know : land acquisition problem, politics, could be anything.

After having travelled on both routes, I'd rather prefer a peaceful 5 hours drive on NH46 and then spend time in the city than having a bumpy ride all throughout!

[ampere]

Originally Posted by libranof1987

I can't comment of the traffic; maybe many (especially trucks) prefer NH4 because it is not tolled. Btw, I have seen very few private vehicles on NH4; it is mostly the truck traffic.

Very much with you there. And those private vehicles would be heading to Tirupati!

About the 4-laning; you never know : land acquisition problem, politics, could be anything.
After having travelled on both routes, I'd rather prefer a peaceful 5 hours drive on NH46 and then spend time in the city than having a bumpy ride all throughout!

Good if it comes through. And anytime NH46 is much more peaceful. But having said, one has to time his/her return to Bangalore. Krishnagiri/Hosur/Bagalore are full to brim as all the incoming South zone traffic merges together.