[SKC-auto]

Originally Posted by damodar

Is this Puttur a wide 2 lane road? Also how is the traffic while crossing Puttur town? I drive a Hexa and in some situations i do face problems crossing narrow underpasses like in Arakonam. Also how much time did it take for you to from Chittoor to Renigunta via this route?

Yes, it's a 2 lane road, but very wide, wide enough to fit 3 cars safely. I crossed Puttur at 6:30am, there was not much traffic at the time, but there was some vegetable market along the road, where it could take sometime at normal hours. There are no underpasses, no narrow roads. I have not noted the exact times, but this road is 9km longer than tirupati road, there is no place I wasted time, most of the time doing 80-100kmph which is not possible on the tirupati road.

[damodar]

Originally Posted by SKC-auto

Yes, it's a 2 lane road, but very wide, wide enough to fit 3 cars safely.

Since you crossed at 6:30 am should have been a breeze to travel. Did you take the route via Karveti Nagar to reach Puttur?

[SKC-auto]

Originally Posted by damodar

Since you crossed at 6:30 am should have been a breeze to travel. Did you take the route via Karveti Nagar to reach Puttur?

Yes, via Karvetinagar. I liked the road very much, it's scenic as well, three cars can cross at 80kmph safely that wide, wider than the old Chittoor Tirupati road. There are no petrol bunks or hotels, if you don't mind you could get fresh idlis and dosas at road side small family hotels. You can try once instead of the Kanipakkam road, in the worst case you will loose 20mins but your car will be happy. Happy car, Happy BHPians.

[damodar]

Originally Posted by SKC-auto

Yes, via Karvetinagar. I liked the road very much, it's scenic as well, three cars can cross at 80kmph safely that wide, wider than the old Chittoor Tirupati road. There are no petrol bunks or hotels, if you don't mind you could get fresh idlis and dosas at road side small family hotels. You can try once instead of the Kanipakkam road, in the worst case you will loose 20mins but your car will be happy. Happy car, Happy BHPians.

Tried all the routes to avoid Chitoor-Tirupati stretch but didn't try this one. Thanks for updating about this route to you and @srvm.
With the road widening works happening between Chittoor and Puttalpattu it's become a pain stuck behind heavy vehicles and the car breathing all the dust raised from them.

[abhi_krishna]

I am planning to drive from Pune to Tirupati in two weeks from now. Pune to Bengaluru should not be a challenge. Is there a tried and tested stopover hotel on the way from Bengaluru to Tirupati where I can maybe rest for the night, before leaving for Tirupati early morning.

[ravib]

Originally Posted by abhi_krishna

I am planning to drive from Pune to Tirupati in two weeks from now. Pune to Bengaluru should not be a challenge. Is there a tried and tested stopover hotel on the way from Bengaluru to Tirupati where I can maybe rest for the night, before leaving for Tirupati early morning.

To be honest, actually none really AFAIK. Though there are few hotels, they are not good or best to stay IMO.
The best is to stay in Bangalore or in Tirupati, not in between. Nowadays it takes only about 3.5 hours to 4 hours drive between Bangalore to Tirupati. So, suggest you to better stay in Bangalore and then drive to Tirupati next day.
Of course, needless to say, even in Bangalore, take all covid pre-cautions and identify a safe hotel!

-Ravi

[srvm]

Originally Posted by SKC-auto

Yes, it's a 2 lane road, but very wide, wide enough to fit 3 cars safely. I crossed Puttur at 6:30am, there was not much traffic at the time, but there was some vegetable market along the road, where it could take sometime at normal hours. There are no underpasses, no narrow roads. I have not noted the exact times, but this road is 9km longer than tirupati road, there is no place I wasted time, most of the time doing 80-100kmph which is not possible on the tirupati road.

SKC-Auto: Thanks for the update in this thread where it is also relevant.

Originally Posted by damodar

Since you crossed at 6:30 am should have been a breeze to travel. Did you take the route via Karveti Nagar to reach Puttur?

Route is: Bangalore- Chittoor (go inside town) - Gangadhara Nellore (GD Nellore) - Pallipattu - Karveti Nagar - Puttur - Renigunta.
Puttur town is doable anytime. Not too long a stretch through it. Just be alert like any other small town.

[srvm]

Originally Posted by ravib

...
Good news is that the new road being layed from Chittoor bypass to Tirupati route goes closer via Kanipakkam and is a very very broad 6L road. Almost 50% of the road is ready and active work is going on. Once this road is opened for public, the driving time to Tirupati will come down between 3 to 3.5 hours. Currently Google Maps can't show the new road under construction, so maps are not useful if you take the Kanipakkam route.
....
-Ravi

Guess what showed up today while checking out GMaps around Kanipakkam? The 6 lane road starting near Kanipakkam and ending at Putalapattu junction



I guess soon Google will start suggesting this road for navigation.
I have driven twice in 2019 on this road - once in July in daytime and again in August in night time. It was pitch dark and super scary with not a soul nearby.
Sub-4 hour journey to Tirupati is looking a possibility now (including comfort breaks), atleast for folks starting from East Bangalore side.

[ravib]

Originally Posted by srvm

Guess what showed up today while checking out GMaps around Kanipakkam? The 6 lane road starting near Kanipakkam and ending at Putalapattu junction

Attachment 2068778

I guess soon Google will start suggesting this road for navigation.
I have driven twice in 2019 on this road - once in July in daytime and again in August in night time. It was pitch dark and super scary with not a soul nearby.
Sub-4 hour journey to Tirupati is looking a possibility now (including comfort breaks), atleast for folks starting from East Bangalore side.

Great. Thanks for still remembering my old post and quoting it back, which i myself forgot. Blame the lockdown and covid

Also, i noticed that http://ttdsevaonline.com/ website is now https://tirupatibalaji.ap.gov.in/. Kids below 11 years and senior citizens are not allowed. So those who are making a trip, please make a note.

I am in dilemma whether to do a Tirupati trip or not due to covid. Still thinking...

-Ravi

[Rajesh K R]

Hello, is an e-pass required to enter Andhra Pradesh as on date ? if i want to visit Tirupati from Bangalore, do i need to register and obtain an E-Pass ?

[itwasntme]

Originally Posted by Rajesh K R

Hello, is an e-pass required to enter Andhra Pradesh as on date ? if i want to visit Tirupati from Bangalore, do i need to register and obtain an E-Pass ?

I'm also interested in a response to this query!

Have a Tirupati SED (2300 slot unfortunately) scheduled for end-November. Plan is to leave mid-morning and drive down from my residence near KIAL. Reach within daylight and check into a budget hotel, freshen up and proceed to darshan. Come back down, spend the night in the hotel and leave early-ish next morning.

ePass:
Do we need an ePass? I think not but I will obviously try and procure one to be safe.

Route:
Which route from north BLR considering I'll leave around noon?
Google Maps suggesting the following:
1. KIAL-Chintamani-Madnapalle-Kalikiri-Pileru-Tirumala (246 km): https://goo.gl/maps/LiRP3GGqQ6x9XLfB9
2. KIAL-Hoskote-Kolar-Mulbagal-Kanipakkam-Tirumala (269 km): https://goo.gl/maps/HC63iSSi3xKZPUhn8
Any thoughts? Distance is NOT a factor but I want minimal broken roads and/or mountainous speed breakers.

Accomodation:
Any recommendations on which hotel to book in with proper precautions etc.?

[ravib]

Originally Posted by Rajesh K R

Hello, is an e-pass required to enter Andhra Pradesh as on date ? if i want to visit Tirupati from Bangalore, do i need to register and obtain an E-Pass ?

Originally Posted by itwasntme

I'm also interested in a response to this query!

Have a Tirupati SED (2300 slot unfortunately) scheduled for end-November. Plan is to leave mid-morning and drive down from my residence near KIAL. Reach within daylight and check into a budget hotel, freshen up and proceed to darshan. Come back down, spend the night in the hotel and leave early-ish next morning.

ePass:
Do we need an ePass? I think not but I will obviously try and procure one to be safe.

Route:
Which route from north BLR considering I'll leave around noon?
Google Maps suggesting the following:
1. KIAL-Chintamani-Madnapalle-Kalikiri-Pileru-Tirumala (246 km): https://goo.gl/maps/LiRP3GGqQ6x9XLfB9
2. KIAL-Hoskote-Kolar-Mulbagal-Kanipakkam-Tirumala (269 km): https://goo.gl/maps/HC63iSSi3xKZPUhn8
Any thoughts? Distance is NOT a factor but I want minimal broken roads and/or mountainous speed breakers.

Accomodation:
Any recommendations on which hotel to book in with proper precautions etc.?

You don't need any ePass to enter AP or return back to KA.

@itwasntme, couple of points for you.

1) Stick to regular route via kolar. Don't take Chintamani route due to bad road conditions as we heard last and also the Kolar route is fastest.
2) You mentioned that your Darshan is at 11 pm. Please be aware traffic between Tirumala and Alipiri is prohibited between 12 midnight to 3 am.
So i am really not sure, if you can finish darshan by 11 pm, collect laddus, walk back to car and drive past the Tirumala toll gate to reach Tirupati so fast. In the past, for such late darshans, i had to end up sleeping in car till 3 am and waited till the Tirumala Toll gate is opened. Also, too many vehicles and buses will be waiting in the queue as soon as the gates open at 3 am.

-Ravi

[itwasntme]

Originally Posted by ravib

2) You mentioned that your Darshan is at 11 pm. Please be aware traffic between Tirumala and Alipiri is prohibited between 12 midnight to 3 am.
So i am really not sure, if you can finish darshan by 11 pm, collect laddus, walk back to car and drive past the Tirumala toll gate to reach Tirupati so fast. In the past, for such late darshans, i had to end up sleeping in car till 3 am and waited till the Tirumala Toll gate is opened. Also, too many vehicles and buses will be waiting in the queue as soon as the gates open at 3 am.

Thank you! Wasn't aware of this 0000-0300 road closure.

Does anyone have an idea if this is currently in force, or temporarily waived to avoid heavy congestion at 0300? Given we do not want to rush this annual trip, I might forego the 2300 slot and rebook once the December quota opens.

When do the slots open as such during these COVID-19 times? December is still not released.

[ravib]

Originally Posted by itwasntme

Thank you! Wasn't aware of this 0000-0300 road closure.

Does anyone have an idea if this is currently in force, or temporarily waived to avoid heavy congestion at 0300? Given we do not want to rush this annual trip, I might forego the 2300 slot and rebook once the December quota opens.

When do the slots open as such during these COVID-19 times? December is still not released.

Its a standard practice and a regular rule. Not temporary one or not waived off due to covid etc. Its more for people safety, wild life as well in the hills, though its debatable as traffic is permitted in other time till midnight.

NOvember quota was release a week back and now its full. December quota may be released in 3rd week of November. My guess....

-Ravi

[Rajesh K R]

We did a Tirumal trip last Tuesday / Wednesday. No e-pass required/ asked for. No stoppages for cars with families near AP border (Palamner CP). Cars with only men were stopped and their luggage scrutinised.

The time slots for both uphill and downhill are not followed now. Earlier we had a timing of 28 mins for uphill and 45 mins for downhill drives - and a display board mentioning the actual timing of the vehicle.

Other than that everything normal. Silathoranam/ Vishnupadam remain off limits now. we were not allowed to go there.

We had the darshan in 20 mins. (Entry to exit) No stopping anywhere.