[bijayks]

The section between Nanjangud and TN Border is being worked up and a major section is done.

Basically they are re-doing the culverts along the route and widening the roads. Guys who have used that section will remember that some section before Chamraj Nagar used to be similar to 1 lane roads and now they are getting widened.

Net Net work in progress, but pretty much motor-able. Travelers using sedans shouldn't be too much bothered!

[addyhemmige]

Thanks a lot guys, I have more or less decided to take Bangalore-Mysore-Chamarajanagar-Sathyamangalam-Annur-Karumathampatti-NH47-Coimbatore Bypass-Pollachi-Parambikulam, unless someone suggests otherwise

[karthiksubraman]

Originally Posted by PRADEEP KUMAR

Did this stretch 4 days back, as you turn off into mettur road for upto 15 kms before mecheri road is fully potholed,watchout. beyond that it is good as ever.

Guys,

Thanks for all the replies I just love Team-BHP for its insanely high SNR.

I reached Coimbatore Thursday afternoon, didn't have internet connectivity till today.

Yep, the stretch up to Mecheri is pretty badly potholed. The rest of the route is pretty good. The only spot of minor trouble I had was with a few maniac buses beyond Sathyamangalam.

I'm planning to leave early tomorrow morning from CBE, and try out the Avinashi-Bhavani-Salem route, as suggested by im_srini. It's started to rain here, don't want to try the Mettur route when it's raining.


Or am I stark raving mad?

[ranjitp1]

Originally Posted by karthiksubraman

Guys,

Thanks for all the replies I just love Team-BHP for its insanely high SNR.

I reached Coimbatore Thursday afternoon, didn't have internet connectivity till today.

Yep, the stretch up to Mecheri is pretty badly potholed. The rest of the route is pretty good. The only spot of minor trouble I had was with a few maniac buses beyond Sathyamangalam.

I'm planning to leave early tomorrow morning from CBE, and try out the Avinashi-Bhavani-Salem route, as suggested by im_srini. It's started to rain here, don't want to try the Mettur route when it's raining.


Or am I stark raving mad?

Even if its raining,I'd prefer the Mettur route,for 2 reasons:
1.Better road conditions compared to the all dug NH7-NH47 Salem section

2.The Salem section in rains tends to have winds of high velocity whereas the bhavani-mettur section is well off in terms of windy conditions with vegetation around.We experienced this ourselves when we were caught in a real bad wind swirl around Salem during the monsoons.In case you do get caught in one of those wind situations,make sure you roll down all your windows and let the wind pass through the car,if you roll them up,then the wind hitting the car would make the car shake violentlyNot meant to scare,but just some tips

[karthiksubraman]

Originally Posted by ranjitp1

Even if its raining,I'd prefer the Mettur route,for 2 reasons:
1.Better road conditions compared to the all dug NH7-NH47 Salem section

2.The Salem section in rains tends to have winds of high velocity whereas the bhavani-mettur section is well off in terms of windy conditions with vegetation around.We experienced this ourselves when we were caught in a real bad wind swirl around Salem during the monsoons.In case you do get caught in one of those wind situations,make sure you roll down all your windows and let the wind pass through the car,if you roll them up,then the wind hitting the car would make the car shake violentlyNot meant to scare,but just some tips

Thank you - for both the tips! Very helpful

Sathy - Mettur - Thoppur -> BLR it is for me, then!

[ampere]

Originally Posted by csentil

I think the updates are there in the previous posts of mine.

Bangalore - Hosur - Krishnagiri - Thoppur - Mettur - Bhavani - Avinashi - Coimbatore

Since you are driving during the night I would suggest this route rather than Ammapettai - Sathy - Coimbatore.

EC to Krishnagiri is an hour max. Krishnagiri - Thoppur - an hour at the max. 4 lane all the way.

Take right at Thoppur for Mettur. Thoppur - Mettur - 1 hr. Mettur - Bhavani - 1 hr. These sections are 2 laned roads. Be caeful.

Bhavani - Cbe 2.5 hrs. Bhavani - Avinashi road work is in progress but most of it is done (as per previous posts). Avinashi to Cbe is 2 lane most of the way.

Do not take Salem - Bhavani route as road work is still on. You should be able to be in Coimbatore midnight or by 1 AM if you leave at 6 PM.

I'm assuming you are a safe driver and will drive carefully during the night. I certainly wouldn't recommend driving later than 11 PM.

I was planning a trip to Munnar from Bangalore some time in future. But due to some reasons, I can start only by afternoon. Since I do not drive late, I wanted to stop at Salem and break for night. The next I continue from Salem -> Bhavani -> Perundarai -> Kengeyam -> Udumalpetai -> Munnar.

In this case I dont have a choice but to take NH47 from Salem to Perindurai.
I hope this section is not that bad!

[karthiksubraman]

Originally Posted by ranjitp1

Even if its raining,I'd prefer the Mettur route,for 2 reasons:

1.Better road conditions compared to the all dug NH7-NH47 Salem section

Took this route today, arrived at Bangalore.

The good news is that the bad sections in the Mettur-Thoppur stretch are being patched up. We (wifey and I) hit perhaps < 1Km of intermittently potholed roads here.

The NHAI is doing a great job of maintaining these roads, and must be commended!

[im_srini]

Hi guys, Diwali update

Took the Mettur-Gobi-Nambiyur-CBE route for the onward journey, as mentioned earlier by karthiksubraman the Mettur stretch has deteriorated a bit - broken tarmac in bits & pieces. Not very bad but can cause you to slow down quite a bit.

Took the Salem route while returning & was pleasantly surprised to see much of the 4-laning complete (from CBE to Salem) The work on the flyovers is still progressing & you hit 2-lane roads after Sankagiri. Saw a toll plaza being erected beyond Sankagiri, so it too should be bypassed in a couple of months. As things stand, CBE to Avinashi & the last 35 Kms to Salem (from CBE) are still 2-laned roads.

[mech]

its better to take the ANNUR road instead of CBE-Avinashi stretch (for people in G.puram and MTP road locality). its 5-10 kms more than this route but its pleasant and the road is also very good.

[gajadonga]

Good to hear that Cbe-Salem roads are getting completed faster.

[sarmarishi]

Just did the following route over the diwali weekend (16th-19th Oct 09).

Bangalore->Krishnagiri->Dharmapuri->Thoppur->Mecheri->Mettur->Ammapet->Andhiyur->Athani->Sathyamangalam->Annur->coimbatore

The drive was excellent. Although the roads after Thoppur are 2 lane, they are a pleasure to drive on. All roads are in pristine condition except a few tiny patches with a few potholes. The potholed streches in total is less than 2 kms. Left at 6 a.m from Bangalore and was in Coimbatore by 12 noon. This was after our stop at A2B on the way.

Would highly recommend taking this route.

[ampere]

How is the Salem to Perundurai stretch?

I plan to break in Salem, before moving on to Munnar via the Salem -> Perundarai -> Kengeyam -> Udumalpettai

[KappaPower]

Anyone been through the Bangalore - Mysore - CBE route recently. I would need advice on the route to take and road condition. I was planning to take the Bng - Kanakapura - Malavalli - Kollegal - Chamarajnagar - Sathy route. Is this good route to travel or is there a better one. I have already travelled the usual Hosur - Salem , Thoppur - Mettur - Bhavani as well as the Ammapettai - Sathy routes. I never travelled on this route. I want a change and also to catch some sceneries and wildlife if possible. Appreciate your help.

Thanks
KP

[mech]

Originally Posted by ampere

How is the Salem to Perundurai stretch?

I plan to break in Salem, before moving on to Munnar via the Salem -> Perundarai -> Kengeyam -> Udumalpettai

4 lane road is being laid so lot of diversions and in some part repair work is going on so Salem to Sankagiri part will be rough. After that toll road starts till perundurai

[mech]

Originally Posted by KappaPower

I was planning to take the Bng - Kanakapura - Malavalli - Kollegal - Chamarajnagar - Sathy route. Is this good route to travel or is there a better one.

I heard this route is very good with some bad roads (10-20 kms) near Chamrajnagar. Never tried, have to do it next time