Team-BHP (https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/)

-   Route / Travel Queries (https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/route-travel-queries/)

-   -   All Roads to Kerala (https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/route-travel-queries/27690-all-roads-kerala-361.html)

Yes.

Kozhikode is an option but again a very busy stretch of highway starting from Bangalore itself. I like the route from Bangalore all the way to Chelakara. It is the best road to drive if you are headed to Cochin. I am looking for an additional option, if one exists. Something that takes off to Cochin from either of these place, pollachi or govindapuram. I am looking for good roads, minimal traffic, same amount of travel time and distance.

The only options to Kochi apart from the ones mentioned are the ones below afaik and they are good to take if driving extra kms and extra time is ok and hill roads to deal with,otherwise the perundurai option is the optimum one imo.

Gundlupet-Nilambur-Perinthalmana-Wadakancheri-TCR-COK
Gundlupet-Nilambur-Perinthalmana-Pattambi-Perumpilavu-Guruvayur-Edappally
Salem-Dindigul-Bodi-Munnar-Kochi
gundlupet-muthanga-nh212-kozhikode-edapal-kunnamkulam-edappally

This route is the most interesting one in the list though it adds a good 120km odd to the Perundurai route. I should try it out sometime. Can you please put a map link for this route. I did plot one but it is straight out of gmaps recommendation.

I have no problem with the Perundurai route till Wadakancherry. It is beyond this where it gets annoying with Traffic.

Ranjit, how is the Perinthalmana - Nilambur - Gundlupet road condition?

We need to drive to Mysore tomorrow early morning. Preferring this route over the Thamarassery - Sulthanbathery would help us save around 20 kms.

Roads are ok,if it rains heavily check at Vazhikadavu if Nadugani ghats are open as its prone to landslides,otherwise the roads are good to go.Start early otherwise the narrow roads and private bus traffic can get onto your nerves.Perinthalmana-wandoor-nilambur there was some culver works reported a couple of months back but i assume those have been completed now.

The roads are really good in the route Perinthalmanna-Pandikkad-Wandur-Nilambur-Vazhkadavu. Some bad patches in the Nadugani ghat section and inside Muthumalai forest which are manageable. Condition as per drive one month back.
The Nilambur route is better than Thamarassery route if you are starting from Perinthalmanna. Traffic will be on a higher side in Thamarassery-Kalpetta stretch.

Ranjith sir, I didn't see any work going on this stretch during my latest drive. Drove this stretch daytime and the traffic was really less as compared to other times. There were less bikers and people on the road as it was raining heavily.

Kerala has a veritable spaghetti-network of usable roads (NH, SH etc.) with the main constraint being traffic. A route to Kochi from Bangalore could be:

Bangalore-Gundlupet (Mysore Road or NH209 - your choice)
Gundlupet-Gudallur-Nilambur (mind the night traffic ban)
Nilambur-Perinthalmanna-Pattambi-Kunnamkulam-Chavakkad
NH17

If anything, this could be a bit shorter though more time consuming.

Salem-Dindigul-Vathalakundu-Theni-Bodi-Poopara-Rajakkad-Kunjithanny-Anachal-Iruttukanam-Adimali-Perumbavur-Aluva

Route bypasses Munnar and you exit NH49 at Poopara and drive down straight to Adimali.

http://goo.gl/maps/5q59P

Hi Ranjit

I am planning to drive down to Irinjalakuda next weekend. I usually take salem, coimbatore by pass, walayar, NH47 route. Have been stuck in Kuthiran only once.. luck has favoured during all other times.

Now that it is rainy season, defenitly do not want to do the PKD - TCR NH47 route. I have once used a route that had a diversion after palakad and then via Shornur to TCR. Do you think this is a good option? or should I stick to what you have recommended above.

Good decision not to use NH47.Its presently in the state of which is the best pothole i can select!

Shoranur road has become very busy thanks to the pathetic condition of nh47.Shoranur route is the more popular one for trucks and buses.I would suggest that you take the above route from Perundurai kangayam pollachi kollengode alathur pazhayannur wadakancheri thrissur cherpu ijk.Roads are good throughout.exit into perundurai town and get onto the kangayam road.its fairly simple,if u have a gps just set it on that and it would take you straight.

PS:You can buy some excellent banana chips at SNR,Alathur bus stand on this route.The best

Friends, Anyone driven through Alleppy - Kayamkulam stretch of NH 47 recently? Last time I passed this road was one month back and there were huge crates near and after Alleppy. Heard that authorities are repairing the craters, but would like to know an update from Bhpns.

Thank you Ranjit. Will give this a shot this time.
And on the banana chips, yes SNR is divine. But with me flirting with 40's.... it is a temptation I will try to avoid:)

Only thing to bear in mind is that at Kollengode take the road to alathur via pallavoor pallassana.do not follow the signboards to thrissur-kochi etc at kollengode as those would put you on NH47 at Vadakkencheri.

Ps:indulgence is a must once in a while!

Private buses go on indefinite strike refusing to ply on NH47 between Palakkad and Thrissur.KSRTC also sights mounting maintenance bills and frequent breakdowns on their buses plying this route and is mulling to ply their SF and LS and Exp buses via the Shoranur route.KSRTC drivers complaining of backaches and spinal problems due to road conditions on this route.

http://www.ksrtcblog.com/featured/po...-05-cr-monthly

Someone ought to sue someone. From what I understand, NHAI will not support patchwork - they want standard NHDP-level work done (this stretch is part of the north-south corridor). GoK is unable to acquire land for full 4-laning work so wants only repairs. Natheeja? Peet ka dard. :-(