[carbhp]

Can you guys explain me about via OMR? I could do route from Chennai to Bangalore as per the recommedations above, but where OMR comes here, sorry for asking basic question.

I did this google map - Puzhudhivakkam, Madipakkam, தமிழ்நாடு இலிருந்து Wonderla வரை - Google Maps Can somebody tell me how to go through OMR to avoid traffic

[Tempelhof]

Originally Posted by carbhp

Can you guys explain me about via OMR? I could do route from Chennai to Bangalore as per the recommedations above, but where OMR comes here, sorry for asking basic question.

OMR in this context refers to Old Madras Road (a road that passes through KR Puram, Hoskote, Kolar, etc.) - not the Old Mahabalipuram Road that's in Madras. That's what I understand from your question...

[carbhp]

ah, got it, Thanks. I didn't know OMR also means Old madras road..

[ampere]

Originally Posted by carbhp

ah, got it, Thanks. I didn't know OMR also means Old madras road..

Before the development of golden quadrilateral (Krishnagiri-Walaja sector) which was the new 4-lane NH46,
all Bangalore-Madras traffic was through Kolar/Mulbagal/Chitoor.

Once the this new road was commissioned all the Madras traffic shifted to 4-lane via Hosur Krishnagiri.
Hence people started calling the Madras access via Kolar as Old Madras road.

[kala]

Originally Posted by ampere

Before the development of golden quadrilateral (Krishnagiri-Walaja sector) which was the new 4-lane NH46,
all Bangalore-Madras traffic was through Kolar/Mulbagal/Chitoor.

Once the this new road was commissioned all the Madras traffic shifted to 4-lane via Hosur Krishnagiri.
Hence people started calling the Madras access via Kolar as Old Madras road.

I'm not sure the name "Old Madras Road" originated after the development of GQ. If my memory serves me right, it was called Old Madras Road even way back in the mid 1970's when I came to Bangalore first. GQ wasn't even visualized back then..

[ampere]

Originally Posted by kala

I'm not sure the name "Old Madras Road" originated after the development of GQ. If my memory serves me right, it was called Old Madras Road even way back in the mid 1970's when I came to Bangalore first. GQ wasn't even visualized back then..

Thanks Kala. I thought it was because of GQ.
So when the Old Madras Road actually called Madras road?

[ajithbr]

Originally Posted by kala

I'm not sure the name "Old Madras Road" originated after the development of GQ. If my memory serves me right, it was called Old Madras Road even way back in the mid 1970's when I came to Bangalore first. GQ wasn't even visualized back then..

Yes. I have heard of the phrase "Old Madras Road" during mid-80s when we used to come to Bangalore. I believe this has more to do with the evolution of SIPCOT (around mid 70's) and the growth of Hosur as an industrial city. When Hosur developed, naturally the road to Chennai/Madras (state capital) was drastically improved. Also, since the big shots landed in Bangalore airport(nearest to Hosur), visited Hosur and then Chennai, the Bangalore->Hosur->Chennai connectivity by road improved a lot. On the commercial front, lorries/cabs and private bus operators( who had good ticket demand in Hosur) from Bangalore realised that this route avoids entry fee to AP if they travel by NH-4 on their way to Chennai side. Naturally, this became "default" road in the public mind and hence NH-4 started being called as "Old Madras Road" only. If I remember correctly(during 80s when even Kerala buses shared nearby platforms to Chennai buses in Majestic bus-stand), it might have been started by KSRTC drivers in Majestic when they started shouting out "Old Madras Road" for buses going to Chennai via NH-4. Any more inputs/thoughts ?

[Tempelhof]

Originally Posted by ajithbr

Any more inputs/thoughts ?

The biggest reason was that the TN government did not want pay extra tax for going through AP.

So, they purposely reduced their fleet in OMR and started patronising the current GQ heavily.

[ramanan.skr]

Originally Posted by Tempelhof

The biggest reason was that the TN government did not want pay extra tax for going through AP.

So, they purposely reduced their fleet in OMR and started patronising the current GQ heavily.

But OMR was the fastest those days compared to Krishnagiri route due to lesser traffic & lesser habitation. Also Krishnagiri route was famous for accidents, atleast 3 to 4 accidents everyday.

[ravib]

Originally Posted by ramanan.skr

But OMR was the fastest those days compared to Krishnagiri route due to lesser traffic & lesser habitation. Also Krishnagiri route was famous for accidents, atleast 3 to 4 accidents everyday.

From my last week drive, I would say even today in current road condition, OMR route is the fastest compared to Krishnagiri route.

Accidents, now I guess its more or less the same in both routes.

-Ravi

[ramanan.skr]

Originally Posted by ravib

From my last week drive, I would say even today in current road condition, OMR route is the fastest compared to Krishnagiri route.

Accidents, now I guess its more or less the same in both routes.

-Ravi

Certainly, agree with you. But 2 to 3 years down the line, things should be better on GQ.

[ampere]

The biggest issue is that we need a dedicated freight routing between Bangalore and Krishnagiri. Only then we can hope for some resolution to this problem.

Else even a six lane wont solve this problem.

[binand]

Originally Posted by ampere

The biggest issue is that we need a dedicated freight routing between Bangalore and Krishnagiri. Only then we can hope for some resolution to this problem.

Funny you should say that - because if I remember correctly, the GQ was envisaged as a project to improve road-based freight movement in the country

[ampere]

Originally Posted by binand

Funny you should say that - because if I remember correctly, the GQ was envisaged as a project to improve road-based freight movement in the country

Very true! But if you see the same GQ development has also spawned personally owned vehicles and people driving down for their vacation. Hence a symbiotic situation on the highway, needs to be established.

[DWind]

Originally Posted by ramanan.skr

But OMR was the fastest those days compared to Krishnagiri route due to lesser traffic & lesser habitation. Also Krishnagiri route was famous for accidents, atleast 3 to 4 accidents everyday.

OMR was fastest then also due to less number of level crossings. There were only 3 if I remember correctly (Whitefield, Bommasamudram and Vellai gate) as opposed to 7-8 crossings in Krishnagiri route. Also, there was less lorry traffic due to extra State crossing.