[sajidclt]

Originally Posted by jacs

Hi All,

Quick update. Started from EC @ 2:30PM via Kanakpura - Chamrajnagar - Gundlupet - Bandipur - Gudalur - Nilambur. Now halting in a family friend's home in Wandoor. Peaceful drive. Travel time 7 hours.

Gudalur border had blockages in the morning but Nilgiri Police assumed command and things are under control. Day drive not that recommended especially for KL guys.

Another praiseworthy thing. A long line of KL vehicles lead by Nilgiri police was ahead of us. After escorting us out to border and you know what? They waved us good bye making it a very easy feel. Hats off to Nilgiri Police.

Jacs, thanks for the update. I am expected to pass Gudalur around 3 pm today. Your post is indeed reassuring.

[vinucv]

Originally Posted by hvkumar

There are no incidents of TN-registered private vehicles being damaged anywhere in Kerala in the last 2 days, although there are a few such instances on the TN side involving KL-registered vehicles. The KL State Govt has been reiterating again and again over the press the need to exercise restraint and requesting general public not to damage or harm outsiders.

Thanks for the update Kumar. Mine is a TN registered car and happy to hear that it is all safe in Kerala for TN vehicles as I am travelling tomorrow

[abe_k]

Hi all

just a quick update.

this was with a KA registered car. was planning to go through mysore, gundalpet, sulthan bathery etc, but heard that roads were bad and the drive was at least 3-5 hours longer. Also heard from people who were crossing through walayar that they were getting through without a problem.

decided to go the cbe route. left bangalore at 1630 yesterday (22nd) and drove through the salem, coimbatore, palakkad route to kerala without a problem. crossed the border around 2200 hrs.

thankfully home safe and sound now. hope this problem clears up soon.

merry christmas everyone

[hvkumar]

One of our friends has just now reported a blockade in the Tankasi-Tenmala road right now. Shows how situation can change in a split second.

[binaiks]

Originally Posted by hvkumar

One of our friends has just now reported a blockade in the Tankasi-Tenmala road right now. Shows how situation can change in a split second.

The situation in TN-border areas are scary. I am heading to Bangalore from Kerala tomorrow morning, in a KL registered car. I was planning the Nilambur-Gudalur route. But, now it seems I'll stick to Kozhikode-S.Bathery-Mysore route - although longer, it'll atleast be safer.

[Twiny]

Originally Posted by ortopilot

I'm driving down to Ernakulam on 24th early morning(3A.M.)

Me too starting ~4AM tomorrow from Bangalore to Ernakulam. Planning to take Gudallor-Nilambur route if there are no issues reported.

[hvkumar]

Originally Posted by binaiks

The situation in TN-border areas are scary. I am heading to Bangalore from Kerala tomorrow morning, in a KL registered car. I was planning the Nilambur-Gudalur route. But, now it seems I'll stick to Kozhikode-S.Bathery-Mysore route - although longer, it'll atleast be safer.

Yesterday, Ajmat took over 12 hours to drive from Bangalore to Kochi via KOzhikode, reported early-morning jams at KA-KL check post, bad ghat roads down to Thamaraserry and the usual high traffic & twisties of NH17 south of Kozhikode. So budget a full day's drive from Bangalore to Kochi.

[ajmat]

Also remember the forest section only opens at 9 so if you leave Bangalore at 4am, it might be pointless

[binaiks]

Originally Posted by hvkumar

Yesterday, Ajmat took over 12 hours to drive from Bangalore to Kochi via KOzhikode, reported early-morning jams at KA-KL check post, bad ghat roads down to Thamaraserry and the usual high traffic & twisties of NH17 south of Kozhikode. So budget a full day's drive from Bangalore to Kochi.

I have an advantage here. I'd be starting off from home around 5 in the morning - and I should be in Bathery by noon maximum. So NH17 is covered long before any traffic hits the road. Thamarassery ghats is not in very bad condition - atleast for people like me who drive in the in-existent roads of Kerala.

My calculation is like this:

Kodungallur - Ramanattukara (Kozhikode bypass): 2 hrs
Ramanattukara - Bathery: about 2.5 hrs
Bathery - Mysore: 2.5 ~ 3 hours
Mysore - Bangalore (Bannerghatta Road): 3 hours.

So that would be some 10.5 hours, in the slowest scenario. Will update once I finish the run.

Originally Posted by ajmat

Also remember the forest section only opens at 9 so if you leave Bangalore at 4am, it might be pointless

9AM? Which forest section are you talking of?

AFAIK, the forest roads on the routes to Kerala all open at 6AM. Gundlupet-Bathery/Gudalur is closed from 9PM to 6AM, while the HD Kote route is closed 6PM to 6AM.

[hvkumar]

Originally Posted by ajmat

Also remember the forest section only opens at 9 so if you leave Bangalore at 4am, it might be pointless

I am a little confused about this 9 am thing - I thought the road opens at 6 am and closes at 9 pm?

[pramodpk]

Originally Posted by hvkumar

I am a little confused about this 9 am thing - I thought the road opens at 6 am and closes at 9 pm?

The road opens at 6:00 AM and closes at 9:00 PM. I have entered the forest section before 9:00 AM multiple times.

[vasoo]

How is the condition of the road between Vaikom and Kumarakom? I plan to drive from Ekm to Kottayam on Sunday and would want to look at alternate roads than the usual Thalayolaparambu route.

[deepclutch]

Originally Posted by vasoo

How is the condition of the road between Vaikom and Kumarakom? I plan to drive from Ekm to Kottayam on Sunday and would want to look at alternate roads than the usual Thalayolaparambu route.

I travelled through that route last Sunday(18th December). It may be a option to reach Kottaayam.

Originally Posted by deepclutch

I travelled today from Muvattupuzha to Changanasserry through MC Road and it is in good condition.
While returning, I have to visit Vaikom. So, took the Kottayam-Kumarakom-Vaikom Road. though narrow, it is well paved, excellent road. seems like newly laid. I think, it saves around 7kms compared to Ettumanoor-kaduthuruthy-Vaikom Highway as well as traffic congestion between Kottayam and Ettumanoor.

From Vaikom, I wanted to test "Nadakkave-Oliappuram(Kuthattukulam)" Highway to reach Muvattupuzha. as the condition of road from Thalayolaparambe-Peruva is bad though it can save 2kms.

I took this route:
Vaikom-Puthotta-Kanjiramattom-Arakkunnam(Highway)-Piravom-Pambakkuda-Muvattupuzha.
stretch from Kanjiramattom to Arakkunnam(around 5kms), the Road conditions are bad. otherwise, all the roads are rubberised highways.
I have rarely travelled in Piravom-Muvattupuzha route. it is as hilly and twisty as MC road to Kuthattukulam is. 21kms felt like 40kms
overall, this route is alternate option coming from Kothamangalam-Muvattupuzha areas to Vaikom-Kumarakom.
Another option was Muvattupuzha-NH49-Thiruvankulam-Kureekkad-Vaikom.

[jacs]

Originally Posted by jacs

Hi All,

Quick update. Started from EC @ 2:30PM via Kanakpura - Chamrajnagar - Gundlupet - Bandipur - Gudalur - Nilambur. Now halting in a family friend's home in Wandoor. Peaceful drive. Travel time 7 hours.

Gudalur border had blockages in the morning but Nilgiri Police assume
d command and things are under control. Day drive not that recommended especially for KL guys.

Another praiseworthy thing. A long line of KL vehicles lead by Nilgiri police was ahead of us. After escorting us out to border and you know what? They waved us good bye making it a very easy feel. Hats off to Nilgiri Police.

Hi All,

Reached home safely. Started around 10AM from Wandoor via Manjeri-Ponnani-Kodungalloor-Paravoor-Chottankkara-Kottayam. Took 6 hours excluding breaks. Couldn't recollect any bad stretches but narrow stretches are there which slows u down. Overall I liked this attempt over Trissur route.

Some quick updates from other friends on the move.
Tamarassery churam is chocked by vehicles since early morn today. Do expect delays.
Salem route looks safe today. But not sure about KL vehicles.

[Twiny]

Got confirmation from my friend on a safe journey via Gundalpet-Gudallur-Nilambur today. He said couple of KL vehicles also was there taking same route. I too deciding as of now, to go via Gudallur tomorrow.