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Hello,

02Oct2020, my wife and I will driv from Kolkata to Hyderabad on our Maruti Suzuki Brezza. We propose to take the following route-
Day1 - Kolkata to Puri (nigt halt)
Day 2 - Puri to Vizag (night halt)
Day 3 - Vizag to Hyderabad (night halt)
Day 4 - Hyd to Mysore

I would really appreciate feedback on a) Do we need to carry COVID test result; b) do we need E-Pass.
I am concerned, because I am hearing conflicting rumors. Some say it is still being checked, others say don't bother. Can anyone who has recently driven confirm please. If E pass is needed, is it for every state that we pass through?
Sincerely appreciate any advice / guidance in this matter.

[ARAY]

**Route update NH65/ NH16/ NH14**
Distance -1672 kms
Total time 26 hrs
Standstill time : 1 hr 17 min ( includes breaks + refueling )
Source : Hyderabad
Destination: Asansol
Start : Friday 9pm . Sept 2020
End - Saturday 11pm Sept 2020
Toll charges - 1600 ( Paytm fastag discounts )
Diesel - 119 litres
Average diesel rate at all states ~ 80

Road conditions -
(9pm - 1am ) Hyderabad to Vijaywada - nh65 , first 60 kms can get irritating if you drive during daylight and traffic. Post that tarmac is smooth and you can make up time.

( 1am -6 am) Vijaywada - Vizag - Post Tuni till southern Chilka - lots of diversions but they are in a better shape from what I had seen during the last Hyderabad - East Bhutan trip. 33kms before entering Vizag we took the Bypass , it was scenic and scarcely busy although we crossed it at 5:30am .


( 6am -2pm ) Vizag - Chilka - Bhubaneswar : Super scenic + great road. Chilka - Bhubaneswar : Major diversions but manageable with mild traffic from adjoining towns. There are few relatively sharp curves, a front wheel drive monocoque will tend to understeer, overspeeding is not a good idea. Contain the body roll with minute steering corrections.

( 2pm - 6pm ) Bhubaneswar - Kharagpur : great road ,no issues but tarmac has major undulations , cars with lower GC will bottom out, saw a swift dzire break it's left fog lap. Just be careful. But majorly scenic. When in doubt always tailgate a vehicle of almost same dimensions understand it's suspension travel and movement pattern and maneuver accordingly and lay low.

( 6pm -11pm ) Kharagpur - Bishnupur - Raniganj -Asansol : Smooth tarmac, lots of towns / villages enroute, we did it at night, that saved a lot of time. Keep an eye for weak bridges. A bridge we used often for past few years was shattered by an overwhelmed river.

Passes and URLs -
Orissa - https://covid19.odisha.gov.in/ ( 1 pass )
AP - http://spandana1.ap.gov.in/Registrat...istration.aspx ( 2 passes, entry and exit )
WB- 8017845555 ( send a ping via whatsapp, then respond accordingly)
We were not stopped at any state border for checking passes in the 26 hours of driving.

Note: please research about the days of lockdown in AP/OD/WB, authorities are very strict.

For the trip we tuned in to Sunday suspense feluda and it was epic.
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?lis...FgoCauLDYPyMZX

Those who are planning to drive excercise caution and safety.
Have a happy and a safe trip.

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Sincere thanks Aray.
The Vizag - HYD section is unknown to me, for I have'nt driven on that section before. Your post is quite confidence boosting.
It is also good to know that none of the states asked for COVID certificates.
The 'feluda - sunday suspense' is very interesting! Never new something like this existed.
Thanks once again.

Regards

AD .... RADventure
moods! moments! melange!

[gajadonga]

Originally Posted by ARAY

**

( 6pm -11pm ) Kharagpur - Bishnupur - Raniganj -Asansol : Smooth tarmac, lots of towns / villages enroute, we did it at night, that saved a lot of time. Keep an eye for weak bridges. A bridge we used often for past few years was shattered by an overwhelmed river.
]

Hope the roads are four lane between Bhuwaneshwar and Kharagpur.

Lots of improvement in road conditions especially between Bishnupur and Raniganj.
Thanks for the update