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Dindigul > Theni route is completely avoidable as found in my last trip and also as mentioned by others here. I have not tried the Madurai > Theni route. Hence the query.

I woud have taken this route if I am going to Thrissur or neighborhood. To Kottayam, this will take a long time and I prefer driving the least in Kerala during day time.

Guys need some help on the Madurai-Kollam route.
Which is the best route (road wise)? Driving times approx. on the shenkottai route?

Any help would be appreciated.

You should take 4-5 hours from Madurai to Kollam via Rajapalayam, Tenkasi & Tenmala. You can face dense traffic in some sectors, and have to navigate Rajapalayam town, but road is otherwise peaceful to drive on - and very scenic after the rains.

Only problem with this route would be like a heavy downpour overnight could trigger landslides. Last monsoon when I drove through this strech, remember passing through two small landslides but it was being cleared hence no delays.

What is the best route from Kozhikode to Coorg ? And what is the condition of the roads? Thanks in advance

If you want to take the CBE side and still avoid Kuthiran/Walayar, the best option to Kottayam is :

Salem-Perundurai-Kangeyam-Palladam-Pollachi-Kollegode-Alathur-Pazhyannur-Vadakkaachary-Trichur (bypass) - Angamaly-Muvattupuzha-Kottayam

Route link via Pollachi

This would add about 50 km extra. But mostly hassle free drive.


Dindigul-Theni can be avoid and yet one can take this route to reach Kottayam:

- Drive till Kodai road. Exit NH7.
- Drive till Batlagundu. At Batlangundu, take the road to Andipatti (which is some where midway between Usilampatti and Theni.)
- Once your reach Theni bypass, take the Theni-Kottayam NH.

This is what I meant:
Modified Route via Dindigul

The distance here is about 630, which is almost the same as the earlier option.
However given an option I would prefer this route, as I think this might have lesser traffic.
Cannot say for sure though. Hence presenting both the options.

One way would be to go via Vythiri, Kalpetta, Manathavady, especially if you are going to south Coorg. The other would be to go via Kannur, Kasargod, Jalsoor & Sulya if you want to get to Madikeri direct

Even for Madikeri, Mananthavady - Tholpetty - Kutta - Virajpet - Madikeri route is a better option. This is far shorter that the Kasargod route.

How about the following route - wouldn't it be shorter?

Kozhikode - Thalassery - Virajpet (and onwards to Madikeri).

Some of the Calicut - Bangalore private buses used to take this route. However, I am not aware of the road conditions especially with the recent happenings in Iritty area.

Also fine, you can take the Talaserry-Mattanur-Iritti-Virajpet route, as you say above.

Could you please advise what happened recently in Iritty?Thanks

The Iritty to Virajpet highway was blocked for a few days a couple of weeks ago due to some monsoon related road damage. As per reports in the Bangalore-Kannur thread, this has now been repaired and is open to traffic. Not sure about road conditions though.

Also there were some flooding issues reported from Iritty some 10 days back. Even that has been cleared now. As per locals in Iritty the flooding occurred because a shutter in the Pazhassi dam couldn't be opened due to a malfunction when the water level rose due to heavy rains. I passed along those flood-affected roads (Iritty-Srikantapuram-Taliparamba road) last Sunday, and the road was in pretty decent condition.

Iritty town and adjoining areas were inundated few days ago due to heavy rains. Pazhassi dam, downstream of the river which flows beside Iritty town literally overflowed since it's shutters could not be opened. Also, there were road damages near Makutta, on Iritty-Virajpet road. These have now been repaired and traffic has been restored, as per reports.
Situation is now normal and all roads are open.

Telicherry-Iritty-Virajpet road is in very good condition. Do take left from Perumpadi check post and proceed towards Virajpet town-Madikeri. Avoid Virajpet byepass! It is in shambles.

EDIT: Sorry, did not notice Kala's post no: 3946. Repeated the information! Apologies

Is Pollachi-Kollegode safe in the night?

I plan to start from Bangalore at 2PM tomorrow and may be covering this stretch between 8-10PM I guess.

Will be there any hassle at check post after dark?

I have a GPS, so finding the route in the night will not be a problem.

Absolutely no safety issues.The CP wouldnt even bother unless there is some specific checking in progress.With a 2pm departure from BLR,you should expect to reach CBE by 8pm,Pollachi by 9,Kollengode is another 45mins from Pollachi,Alathur in 30mins from Kollengode,Pazhyannur in 30mins from Alathur,Wadakancheri in 75mins from Pazhyannur,Thrissur in 40mins from Wadakancheri.