Coastal Karnataka National Highways: Monsoon Roads

pjay_in · 21st January 2008, 13:59

Any updates on the road condition between Kundapur and Goa? I have seen that NH17 south of Kundapur has been touched up and made driveable. Can we say the same thing about Kundapur-Goa?

I am seriously thinking of driving to Goa from Mangalore (alternative: have train reservations).

ravibhat · 21st January 2008, 15:52

Patch work is done but still road is not smooth. Now NH17 is better than its September 2007 condition.

Regards,

Ravi.

PVS · 21st January 2008, 23:07

Pitiable condition of the NH17 indeed! I remember, it used to be in a fairly good condition - at least the Mangalore - Udupi section, when I last saw it in 1998 - the last year of my college life at Manipal.

And how about the maniacal private bus guys between Kundapura/Manipal/Udupi and Mangalore? Do they still drive like maniacs or have mellowed down? Of course the Grand Dads of the route - CPC & Shanker Vittal, used to maintain a semblance of dignity.

lohithrao · 22nd January 2008, 10:00

PVS the road condition was great around 2000-2003, but last couple of years it has turned out to be horrible! i think Nh 17 should be in a better state in what it was in Nov, sould be easily managable.

About private buses, they still behave the same. the attitude of the bus drivers remains the same from Kundapura to Kasargod

rajshenoy · 22nd January 2008, 10:38

their attitude coupled with the road conditions... quite deadly..i mean literally..can cause death..

CorsaLove · 24th January 2008, 22:12

Guys can anyone update on the road condition from Bhatkal to karwar-Goa?

Had done this strech long back and while returning to bangalore..

ravibhat · 27th January 2008, 21:37

Day back My uncle has travelled between Kumta and Mangalore in NH17 on the way to Kukke Subramanya, they told me it took 9 hours to reach and road is not good with rough surface although eye washing patch work is done but its of no use. He says its not like usual NH17 he has seen from last 30 years.

Next month I am planning to attend wedding near Kundapura now in double mind to decide about journey.

Regards,

Ravi.

lohithrao · 28th January 2008, 10:30

In Nove there was reallu bad stretches arouynd kundapura.. Bhatkala, hope they atleast have covered it. i think most of us who travel regularly to the coast have got used to the bad surface

pjay_in · 29th January 2008, 11:12

I made a quick road trip to Goa and back (from Mangalore) last weekend (Fri - Sun). Frankly the roads were better than expected. Not that they are in great shape everywhere, but definitely some work has been done and NH17 is driveable throughout.

From Mangalore to Surathkal four-laning work is in progress and it will give you considerable trouble switching lanes and negotiating very rough sections.

From Surathkal the road is good to very good till Kundapur.

From Kundapur the quality comes down a bit, the surface becomes slightly rough but thankfully without potholes. You can still maintain good speeds.

Around Bhatkal the road was somewhat bad. There were some potholes around Baindur/Shiroor, and I had to slow down.

Bhatkal to Honavar was ok, Honavar to Ankola slightly bad (you can still drive fast, but not very fast). Ankola - Kumta - Karwar was good, if I remember correctly.

Karwar to Panaji was also good, though there are some average stretches inside Goa.

Now about the time it took (I am not having my log with me right now, so will give you the overall time):

Started from Mangalore at 4:30 AM on Friday. Stopped for breakfast before Kundapur for 30 minutes. Reached Maravanthe at 6:45 and stopped for 20 minutes.

Stopped at Karwar for another 15-20 minutes to take in the views.

With all these breaks, entered Goa state at 10:30 AM (around 280 km from Mangalore). Rached my resort at Arpora (stopped at places to enquire the route) at 1:00 PM. I had seriously underestimated the time it would take INSIDE Goa. From the entry point to Panaji it is a good 1.5 hours if not more. And the increased traffic didn't help.

On return, started from Panaji at 10:30 AM and reached Mangalore at 6 PM. There was a short break of 15 minutes at Canacona and then about 30-40 minutes at Kumta for lunch.

lohithrao · 29th January 2008, 11:36

Good report pjay.... great to know that NH 17 is drivable ... 2 months back all that i could remember is pot holes and pot holes...could hardly go to 3 r gear.

PVS · 1st February 2008, 23:38

Any updates on NH 63 - Hubli Ankola road? Has it been repaired or still in a pathetic condition? My parents wanted to do the Hubli-Ankola-Gokarna-Murudeshwara and back to Hubli via Ankola by bus/cab.

A few questions:
1) What is the approximate time taken (by bus) for the Hubli Ankola section?
2) What is the best way to visit Gokarna & Murdeshwara from Hubli? I am suggesting my parents to take a night halt at Ankola, cover Gokarna (Ankola - Gokarna - 25 Kms) & Murudeshwara (Gokarna - M'deshwara - 46 Kms) the next day, and get back to Hubli the next day early morning.
3) Any idea how much a cab costs to cover Gokarna & Murdeshwara & back from Ankola?
4) Any decent places to stay at Ankola? I am googling for more info; but would appreciate if anyone has better options.

Thanks in advance!

ravibhat · 2nd February 2008, 09:16

Hi PVS,

Since my parents work in Ankola I can help you to hire Cab (Indica or Quallis i suggest I know many operators there since I am regular customer).

Plan1:

Its good idea to travel by BUS between Hubli and Ankola so they can save 1 day cab expenses and can get good CABS in Ankola with good service assured. Aprox. time taken by BUS to travel between hubli and Ankola is 4 hours. Road between yellapur and hubli (70km aprox.) is good and patch work done between ankola and yellapur(70km), but because of Mines lorries overtaking is nightmare, so bus is best way.

If they catch early morning Bus from Hubli and reach Ankola by 9AM or 10AM and have breakfast in Hotel Sapna (Best place to eat pure Veg. food in Ankola and I know the owner and in Sapna hotel building itself there is lodge hotel Tourist which is decent/cheap and I know them very well, so you can get best room and good service.)

And then start Journey to Gokarna (25km) by CAB and reach Gokarna by 11AM and they can reach PanduRanga international Hotel for lunch by 2PM near Kumta wich is excellant hotel to eat/stay in Kumta. Gokarna -> Kumta (30km)-> Honnavar (20km)-> Murdeshwara (30km) is 80km. and would need 100minutes drive with decent speeds.

If they leave Murdeshwara by 6PM they can reach Ankola by 8PM and have dinner at hotel Sapna and choose either of 2 lodges (another one's name is Hotel Surya I guess) available within 100 meters of hotel Sapna.

Next day morning they can leave Ankola by BUS to Hubli. Frequency of BUs is very much so they can get easily one with seat available.

I think budget it would cost:

1. BUS fare hubli-ankola: 120/- aprox. per person
2. CAB for 1 day : 1500/- aprox. (They charge for 300km minimum per day and between ankola - gokarna - murdeshwara - ankola it would be 200km.) If needed we can bargain for discounts.
3. Food per person 140/- entire day (1 breakfast with tea/coeffe, lunch, breakfast, evening snack/dosa with tea/coeffe, dinner)
4. Hotel stay: 350 rs per night I guess.

Total Distance from Hubli -> Murdeshwara via Gokarna: 500km round trip max.

Plan2:

If they can hire cab in hubli and start from morning 5am or 6AM and come back to Hubli by 10PM, this can be done but be tiresome since because of not so smooth road, mine lorries.

Plan3:

Hire a cab in Hubli and visit the places and stay in Murdeshwara (very good hotels available) or Kumta at Panduranga international on first day and then head back to hubli next day and they can cover more places like beaches (many available), Magod Water Falls near yellapur (20km from it), If they prefer to go via Kumta -> Sirsi -> Mundagod or Hangal -> Hubli (road is queit ok and it has rough patches..) they can see few temples on the way.

Do good homework with their preferences/choices/budget and then make a call.

Any help needed they can reach my Dad's Cell. Pm me.

Regards,

Ravi.

PVS · 2nd February 2008, 14:34

Wow! That was an absolutely detailed reply with alternate options. Thanks ravibhat. I will speak to my parents and work out a plan and PM you in case of assistance.

Thanks once again.

ravibhat · 17th September 2008, 21:56

Today heard good news that nh17 around Udupi will be repaired and 2 crores released. Work would be starting right away. I hope in 1 month they would repair the bad road.

Also since rainy season is almost over road repair work has started, so hopefully things will improve in couple of months.

Regards,

Ravi.

lohithrao · 18th September 2008, 10:02

Good news for sure, but only around Udupi? or till Karwar??

I want the NH17 back the way it was years back

Quote:

Originally Posted by ravibhat

Today heard good news that nh17 around Udupi will be repaired and 2 crores released. Work would be starting right away. I hope in 1 month they would repair the bad road.

Also since rainy season is almost over road repair work has started, so hopefully things will improve in couple of months.

Regards,

Ravi.

21st January 2008, 13:59	#121
pjay_in BHPian Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Melbourne Posts: 396 Thanked: 20 Times	Any updates on the road condition between Kundapur and Goa? I have seen that NH17 south of Kundapur has been touched up and made driveable. Can we say the same thing about Kundapur-Goa? I am seriously thinking of driving to Goa from Mangalore (alternative: have train reservations).
	() Thanks

21st January 2008, 15:52	#122
ravibhat Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Bangalore Posts: 2,256 Thanked: 37 Times View My Garage	Patch work is done but still road is not smooth. Now NH17 is better than its September 2007 condition. Regards, Ravi.
	() Thanks

21st January 2008, 23:07	#123
PVS BHPian Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: HyderabadDeccan Posts: 349 Thanked: 601 Times	Pitiable condition of the NH17 indeed! I remember, it used to be in a fairly good condition - at least the Mangalore - Udupi section, when I last saw it in 1998 - the last year of my college life at Manipal. And how about the maniacal private bus guys between Kundapura/Manipal/Udupi and Mangalore? Do they still drive like maniacs or have mellowed down? Of course the Grand Dads of the route - CPC & Shanker Vittal, used to maintain a semblance of dignity.
	() Thanks

22nd January 2008, 10:00	#124
lohithrao Senior - BHPian Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Kudla/Mangaluru Posts: 3,204 Thanked: 225 Times View My Garage	PVS the road condition was great around 2000-2003, but last couple of years it has turned out to be horrible! i think Nh 17 should be in a better state in what it was in Nov, sould be easily managable. About private buses, they still behave the same. the attitude of the bus drivers remains the same from Kundapura to Kasargod
	() Thanks

22nd January 2008, 10:38	#125
rajshenoy Senior - BHPian Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: bangalore Posts: 2,884 Thanked: 2,229 Times View My Garage	their attitude coupled with the road conditions... quite deadly..i mean literally..can cause death..
	() Thanks

24th January 2008, 22:12	#126
CorsaLove BHPian Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Bangalore Posts: 392 Thanked: 18 Times View My Garage	Nh 17 Guys can anyone update on the road condition from Bhatkal to karwar-Goa? Had done this strech long back and while returning to bangalore..
	() Thanks

27th January 2008, 21:37	#127
ravibhat Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Bangalore Posts: 2,256 Thanked: 37 Times View My Garage	Day back My uncle has travelled between Kumta and Mangalore in NH17 on the way to Kukke Subramanya, they told me it took 9 hours to reach and road is not good with rough surface although eye washing patch work is done but its of no use. He says its not like usual NH17 he has seen from last 30 years. Next month I am planning to attend wedding near Kundapura now in double mind to decide about journey. Regards, Ravi.
	() Thanks

28th January 2008, 10:30	#128
lohithrao Senior - BHPian Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Kudla/Mangaluru Posts: 3,204 Thanked: 225 Times View My Garage	In Nove there was reallu bad stretches arouynd kundapura.. Bhatkala, hope they atleast have covered it. i think most of us who travel regularly to the coast have got used to the bad surface
	() Thanks

29th January 2008, 11:12	#129
pjay_in BHPian Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Melbourne Posts: 396 Thanked: 20 Times	I made a quick road trip to Goa and back (from Mangalore) last weekend (Fri - Sun). Frankly the roads were better than expected. Not that they are in great shape everywhere, but definitely some work has been done and NH17 is driveable throughout. From Mangalore to Surathkal four-laning work is in progress and it will give you considerable trouble switching lanes and negotiating very rough sections. From Surathkal the road is good to very good till Kundapur. From Kundapur the quality comes down a bit, the surface becomes slightly rough but thankfully without potholes. You can still maintain good speeds. Around Bhatkal the road was somewhat bad. There were some potholes around Baindur/Shiroor, and I had to slow down. Bhatkal to Honavar was ok, Honavar to Ankola slightly bad (you can still drive fast, but not very fast). Ankola - Kumta - Karwar was good, if I remember correctly. Karwar to Panaji was also good, though there are some average stretches inside Goa. Now about the time it took (I am not having my log with me right now, so will give you the overall time): Started from Mangalore at 4:30 AM on Friday. Stopped for breakfast before Kundapur for 30 minutes. Reached Maravanthe at 6:45 and stopped for 20 minutes. Stopped at Karwar for another 15-20 minutes to take in the views. With all these breaks, entered Goa state at 10:30 AM (around 280 km from Mangalore). Rached my resort at Arpora (stopped at places to enquire the route) at 1:00 PM. I had seriously underestimated the time it would take INSIDE Goa. From the entry point to Panaji it is a good 1.5 hours if not more. And the increased traffic didn't help. On return, started from Panaji at 10:30 AM and reached Mangalore at 6 PM. There was a short break of 15 minutes at Canacona and then about 30-40 minutes at Kumta for lunch.
	() Thanks

29th January 2008, 11:36	#130
lohithrao Senior - BHPian Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Kudla/Mangaluru Posts: 3,204 Thanked: 225 Times View My Garage	Good report pjay.... great to know that NH 17 is drivable ... 2 months back all that i could remember is pot holes and pot holes...could hardly go to 3 r gear.
	() Thanks

1st February 2008, 23:38	#131
PVS BHPian Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: HyderabadDeccan Posts: 349 Thanked: 601 Times	Any updates on NH 63 - Hubli Ankola road? Has it been repaired or still in a pathetic condition? My parents wanted to do the Hubli-Ankola-Gokarna-Murudeshwara and back to Hubli via Ankola by bus/cab. A few questions: 1) What is the approximate time taken (by bus) for the Hubli Ankola section? 2) What is the best way to visit Gokarna & Murdeshwara from Hubli? I am suggesting my parents to take a night halt at Ankola, cover Gokarna (Ankola - Gokarna - 25 Kms) & Murudeshwara (Gokarna - M'deshwara - 46 Kms) the next day, and get back to Hubli the next day early morning. 3) Any idea how much a cab costs to cover Gokarna & Murdeshwara & back from Ankola? 4) Any decent places to stay at Ankola? I am googling for more info; but would appreciate if anyone has better options. Thanks in advance!
	() Thanks

2nd February 2008, 09:16	#132
ravibhat Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Bangalore Posts: 2,256 Thanked: 37 Times View My Garage	Hi PVS, Since my parents work in Ankola I can help you to hire Cab (Indica or Quallis i suggest I know many operators there since I am regular customer). Plan1: Its good idea to travel by BUS between Hubli and Ankola so they can save 1 day cab expenses and can get good CABS in Ankola with good service assured. Aprox. time taken by BUS to travel between hubli and Ankola is 4 hours. Road between yellapur and hubli (70km aprox.) is good and patch work done between ankola and yellapur(70km), but because of Mines lorries overtaking is nightmare, so bus is best way. If they catch early morning Bus from Hubli and reach Ankola by 9AM or 10AM and have breakfast in Hotel Sapna (Best place to eat pure Veg. food in Ankola and I know the owner and in Sapna hotel building itself there is lodge hotel Tourist which is decent/cheap and I know them very well, so you can get best room and good service.) And then start Journey to Gokarna (25km) by CAB and reach Gokarna by 11AM and they can reach PanduRanga international Hotel for lunch by 2PM near Kumta wich is excellant hotel to eat/stay in Kumta. Gokarna -> Kumta (30km)-> Honnavar (20km)-> Murdeshwara (30km) is 80km. and would need 100minutes drive with decent speeds. If they leave Murdeshwara by 6PM they can reach Ankola by 8PM and have dinner at hotel Sapna and choose either of 2 lodges (another one's name is Hotel Surya I guess) available within 100 meters of hotel Sapna. Next day morning they can leave Ankola by BUS to Hubli. Frequency of BUs is very much so they can get easily one with seat available. I think budget it would cost: 1. BUS fare hubli-ankola: 120/- aprox. per person 2. CAB for 1 day : 1500/- aprox. (They charge for 300km minimum per day and between ankola - gokarna - murdeshwara - ankola it would be 200km.) If needed we can bargain for discounts. 3. Food per person 140/- entire day (1 breakfast with tea/coeffe, lunch, breakfast, evening snack/dosa with tea/coeffe, dinner) 4. Hotel stay: 350 rs per night I guess. Total Distance from Hubli -> Murdeshwara via Gokarna: 500km round trip max. Plan2: If they can hire cab in hubli and start from morning 5am or 6AM and come back to Hubli by 10PM, this can be done but be tiresome since because of not so smooth road, mine lorries. Plan3: Hire a cab in Hubli and visit the places and stay in Murdeshwara (very good hotels available) or Kumta at Panduranga international on first day and then head back to hubli next day and they can cover more places like beaches (many available), Magod Water Falls near yellapur (20km from it), If they prefer to go via Kumta -> Sirsi -> Mundagod or Hangal -> Hubli (road is queit ok and it has rough patches..) they can see few temples on the way. Do good homework with their preferences/choices/budget and then make a call. Any help needed they can reach my Dad's Cell. Pm me. Regards, Ravi. Last edited by ravibhat : 2nd February 2008 at 09:20.
	() Thanks

2nd February 2008, 14:34	#133
PVS BHPian Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: HyderabadDeccan Posts: 349 Thanked: 601 Times	Wow! That was an absolutely detailed reply with alternate options. Thanks ravibhat. I will speak to my parents and work out a plan and PM you in case of assistance. Thanks once again.
	() Thanks

17th September 2008, 21:56	#134
ravibhat Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Bangalore Posts: 2,256 Thanked: 37 Times View My Garage	Today heard good news that nh17 around Udupi will be repaired and 2 crores released. Work would be starting right away. I hope in 1 month they would repair the bad road. Also since rainy season is almost over road repair work has started, so hopefully things will improve in couple of months. Regards, Ravi.
	() Thanks