[ampere]

Originally Posted by Voyager-1

I recently discovered this route to bypass Salem, it saves 12 kms and two tolls (Omalur toll and Sankagiri toll).

Many have been using the Omalur-Tharamangalam-Sankari option for some time now. More than toll it saves one from the Salem city traffic.

[suresh_gs]

Originally Posted by Voyager-1

I recently discovered this route to bypass Salem city traffic, it saves 12 kms, and two tolls (Omalur toll and Sankagiri toll).

There is one more option that people can try. The Sankagiri toll does not cost much when compared to Omalur toll. At the same time it is worthless to pay toll at Omalur and then endure the slow moving truck traffic. So our objective is to avoid paying toll at Omalur but still commute on the NH saving time. Here it goes

As you cross omalur exit, proceed a bit further till you see Omalur fire station on your left. Take a U turn and then proceed as per the map. You will then meet the NH.
My friend tried this and found the roads to be good.

[Waxeloquent]

QUOTE As you cross omalur exit, proceed a bit further till you see Omalur fire station on your left. Take a U turn and then proceed as per the map. You will then meet the NH UN QUOTE

I think the map given is the regular route through Salem by pass with that fly over etc. The deviation what is mentioned is the State Highway through Tharamangalam, Desavilau, Pappampadi... Right? It is an interesting advice and I will try to take it in my next trip to Cbe. How good is the State Highway, condition and traffic?

Cheers

[Voyager-1]

The traffic on the SH86 is less, but you may see some slow moving traffic inside the towns. The road condition is also good to do 80 kmph.

[suresh_gs]

Originally Posted by Voyager-1

The traffic on the SH86 is less, but you may see some slow moving traffic inside the towns. The road condition is also good to do 80 kmph.

One can expect some traffic near Tharamangalam . Apart from this it should be smooth sailing. Most important factor: one gets to avoid 2 tolls at Omalur and Sankagiri.

[Waxeloquent]

Thanks voyager and Suresh. Yes more than the toll, I am interested in missing the rush in the Salem by pass.

Cheers

[krishsreedharan]

To all you good folks out there, I am planning to do the Bangalore Coimbatore drive via Chennapatna, Dimbam, Bhavanisagar, Sirumugai, Karamadai route. Would appreciate any advise on the condition of the roads given that its been raining quite frequently this summer. I am going to be driving down with my two year old and therefore, if the roads are bad, I would rather do the regular route via Hosur, Krishnagiri and Salem. Any advise is appreciated. Thanks in advance.

Best,
Krish

[Rajeevraj]

Originally Posted by krishsreedharan

To all you good folks out there, I am planning to do the Bangalore Coimbatore drive via Chennapatna, Dimbam, Bhavanisagar, Sirumugai, Karamadai route. Would appreciate any advise on the condition of the roads given that its been raining quite frequently this summer. I am going to be driving down with my two year old and therefore, if the roads are bad, I would rather do the regular route via Hosur, Krishnagiri and Salem. Any advise is appreciated. Thanks in advance.

Best,
Krish

I assume you mean Chamrajnagar and not Chennapatna.

There is a bridge closure between Malavalli and Kollegala, which means you need to take a deviation via T Narsipura-Talakkad to get to Chamrajnagar. In addition there is no family friendly places (apart from Nijaguna Residency at Chamrajnagar) to stop.

The roads are generally in great condition-Including the deviation (although 2 lane highways) and pretty scenic. Some small stretches of road widening is happening around T.Narsipura.

So in summary, would not advice this route unless you are looking for a different experience and don't mind a longer driving time. With a 2 year old, I guess you would want to reach your destination as soon as possible.

[suresh_gs]

Originally Posted by krishsreedharan

To all you good folks out there, I am planning to do the Bangalore Coimbatore drive via Chennapatna, Dimbam, Bhavanisagar, Sirumugai, Karamadai route. Would appreciate any advise on the condition of the roads given that its been raining quite frequently this summer. I am going to be driving down with my two year old and therefore, if the roads are bad, I would rather do the regular route via Hosur, Krishnagiri and Salem. Any advise is appreciated. Thanks in advance.

Best,
Krish

I would suggest an alternate route Via Hosur, Krishnagiri, Thoppur, Mecheri,Mettur,Ammapettai,Anthiyur,Athani and Sathyamangalam. As mentioned in your post it is not Chennapatna but Chamarajanagar.

[gajadonga]

Hyderabad-Banglore-Coimbatore Update.

Banglore-Hosur.
Good roads throughout Attibele toll takes time to cross.
The flyover at Hosur bus stand is still in progress and allows one way traffic towards Krishnagiri.

Hosur -Krishnagiri-Salem
Very good througout.

Salem -Coimbatore
Very good and Avinashi-Coimbatore is complete with the speed breakers and humps over the flyovers have been leveled.Still toll is not in place.Some road works are still in
progress at the entry to the Coimbatore bypass.

[Gokrish]

Salem-Cochin highways (NH 47) rechristened NH 544. Saw new boards displaying this number last week. To avoid Two roundabouts at Salem, I had taken Sankagiri Main Road at Nandhi Circle near Sowdeshwari College and it saves some distance too!

[suresh_gs]

Originally Posted by Gokrish

To avoid Two roundabouts at Salem, I had taken Sankagiri Main Road at Nandhi Circle near Sowdeshwari College and it saves some distance too!

There is one more option of avoiding paying toll at Omalur toll plaza. Instead of taking a turn towards Omalur town, proceed further on the NH service road till you see the fire service center. Take a U turn and go via the route shown in the map below. This route is via salem steel plant. By this one can avoid paying toll at omalur yet go on the NH.

[luvurride]

Originally Posted by Gokrish

Salem-Cochin highways (NH 47) rechristened NH 544. Saw new boards displaying this number last week. To avoid Two roundabouts at Salem, I had taken Sankagiri Main Road at Nandhi Circle near Sowdeshwari College and it saves some distance too!

I don't get it. Can you elaborate please, or a map will greatly help!

[decode]

Can any one provide an update on the present condition of Bangalore - Kanakpura - Sathyamangalam - Dhimbam - Coimbatore route? Has anyone travelled through this road recently, I heard there was some construction going on in between?

[Rajeevraj]

Originally Posted by decode

Can any one provide an update on the present condition of Bangalore - Kanakpura - Sathyamangalam - Dhimbam - Coimbatore route? Has anyone travelled through this road recently, I heard there was some construction going on in between?

The bridge near Kollegala on this route was closed for repairs. That is open now. The other road work in the area is between Mysore and Gundlepet and does not impact this route.

This route is as good as it has always been. I have driven Bangalore-Chamrajnagar recently and not beyond that. But as per reports in several thread here, should be as good as it has always been.