Back from Tirupati! Yesterday I had been to Tirupati. I was driving a Carb '99Zen. Got a mileage of 15.5 kmpl with 50% AC and speeds of 80-110kmph with Shell normal petrol filled at station near ISKCON for around 52.5 rs/l.
We started at 4:45AM from Malleshwaram. Stopped twice. Once for quick tea and another for snacks which we packed from home. There was lots of fog for abt 15-20 kms. Couple of times visibily was not even 10 mts!! We reached Tirumala Toll Booth at 9:45AM which is 4.5 hrs which I think its great. My target was to reach the queue by 10:30AM. Hence didnt miss a mile to press the pedal. However not over-speed! :-)
On our way back, we started from Padmavati Temple at 6PM and reached Malleshwaram at 1:20AM!! We stopped four times, once for Dinner, once for change of type due to puncture, once for repairing for the same and lastly for tea. I was really wild at all tea shops. They have those big metal pots to prepare tea but its only for SHOW!
Coming to road conditions. I took BLR->HOSKOTE->KOLAR->MULGABAL->CHITTOR->TIRUPATI. And same route back. BLR->TIRUPATI Toll Booth clocked 280kms.
BLR <-> MULGABAL road quality is average but the diversions become killer with totally unexpected pot holes, speed brakers, unmarked roads. At night during our way back, the lights from trucks and buses were dazzling! They had 2-3 pairs of lights ALL ON AND ALL HIGH  I could hardly see any road of mine. I had 90/100 lights myself which were totally useless against these guys! Traffic was average both the times with no rash/mindless drivers. I was totally cornered twice while volvo (APSRTC) was overtaking from opp direction. One needs to be very careful on this road. Pot holes are rim benders. Bottom scraching speed breakers.
MULGABAL <-> CHITTOR gets better. Good roads, normal traffic. However one lane. CHITTOR <-> TIRUPATI is a breeze drive. One can cruise at 100kmph easily.
Overall I would not take BLR <-> CHITTOR till GQ work is over and these idiots are done and over with road diversions and unmarked spine breakers!!
I regretted not taking Krishnagiri route and trying to save 70+70kms. |