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This was the clarification from the Transport Commissioner:

https://www.facebook.com/mvdkerala/p...87614077973251

(There's a typo - 100 meters instead of 100 km/hr)

This information is available in the Kerala MVD website, as a MoRTH Notification

I set the cruise control to ~95kmph these days, in place of the 85kmph earlier. My last trip was earlier in December. Nothing from the MVD in the post yet, and the interceptor cops didn't stop me (on an afternoon) either :D

Isn't it the same with Idukki as well? But nobody plans a trip to Idukki, like a trip to Wayanad ;)

More like Coorg I'd say. There's a township called Idukki and people do go there (to visit the eponymous dam and power generation plant).

Seems like a nice guy. He actually braked and aborted the overtake. Most folks would have just kept coming expecting you to move to the shoulder which was available.:D

I am planning to drive from Bangalore to Kollengode/Palakkad next week and have some general queries as I am driving this route after about 4 years.

1) Is Bangalore-Salem-Coimbatore Byepass-Palakkad ByePass-Kollengode the best route or any other recommendations? Planning to start around 4 am.
2) Is FastTag compulsary? What if I dont have one?
3) Please list out good food+bio break points, especially for breakfast and lunch.
4) Any recommendations for stay in and around Kollengode town? I know of places in Palakkad itself and so you may skip that.

I did Bangalore-Palakkad this morning. Started at 5.30am and reached the Kongad region of Palakkad by 12.30 pm that includes 1 breakfast and 1 fuel stop.
Being a working day, the roads were crowded with cars and the usual truck traffic.
FasTag worked all through. At most tolls (especially from Thoppur onwards) there was conscious effort to segregate Cash and Fastag users. It did work well in some tolls and the usual chaos at others. Cash only was supposed to be the left lanes while fastag on the right lanes AND cash still being accepted in all lanes.
Thoppur down hill has now been converted to a single right lane, the left lanes were barricaded.
Salem flyover deviation is only for short stretch, shouldn't be an issue if you start early.
In the first few kms of the L&T bypass there were 2 sections where barricades have been placed to slow down the traffic. What more do you want on that narrow stretch?
Palakkad town bypass towards Olavakode has a new surface laid out.

Today evening avoid travel through MC Road in Ernakulam district. All roads are blocked and multiple diversions are there due to protests taking place against CAA.

Thanks for the detailed reply . Would definitely help agree:. Travelling on 22nd afternoon ( Sunday )from close to Kalpetta(- A homestay near Suchipara falls.)

any restaurants enroute Kalpetta -Kozhikode- Kuttipuram that serves some good Kozhikode Malabar biriyani. Based on the replies above am thinking of leaving a bit early and catching lunch enroute

Kozhikode is a gourmet's delight. If you are looking for authentic biriyani try the original Paragon. With one-ways and loops and minimal parking getting there is a pain though.

Paragon Restaurant
Kannur Rd, near CH Over bridge, Kozhikode, Kerala 673001
0495 404 0000
https://maps.app.goo.gl/mxYhKFGBmSeFYRYQ7

Alternately, there is Sagar:

Sagar Restaurant
Mavoor Rd, Opp Big Bazar, Arayidathupalam, Kozhikode, Kerala 673004
0495 272 0152
https://maps.app.goo.gl/6DVLCTRxynEmKMtP8

I'd suggest exiting the bypass at Thondayad junction for both (not skip it altogether).

One more in addition to what Binand mentioned above. Malabar Masala

This is on the bypass, so no deviation. First preference would be Paragon though.

Agree. Paragon is definitely worth the detour. Undoubtedly, the best Chicken Biriyani in Calicut. Their seafood is also great.

meconi, if you're dining at Paragon, buy home some hot banana chips from Kumari Chips opposite Paragon (they also sell good Kozhikoden Halwa). And, there's a small shop that sells sarbath- their milk sarbath is famous. :thumbs up

Other good options in Calicut are : Kuttichira Biriyani Centre (basic facilities, parking is tricky, but the Biriyani is great), Hotel Rahmath (best Beef Biriyani in Calicut).

And if you start late or feel hungry early, you can try White House Restaurant, Engapuzha. Their fish biriyani is better than chicken biriyani. Also, Chicken and Mutton Mandhi are good.

:)

Wonderful. Thanks. Will definitely try out Paragon ! Sure looks like a worth detour :)

I did Bangalore to Cochin. Left at about 1230 am today, Saturday.


Nothing to write about the rest of the route, but Coimbatore bypass is now fastag enabled. The right side toll is fastag+cash, left is cash only. No boards put up yet though.


Trishur toll was chaotic at about 7 am. The traffic was backed up to the top of the flyover!

How is the road condition between Nagercoil to Trivandrum? Please let me know whether it's okay to take that route.

I completed Bangalore to Kochi starting on 18th afternoon.Took a break in Salem. I stayed at Radisson in Salem and then continued on from Salem in the morning reaching Kochi at 2:30 PM.

FastTag update:

Toll booths in Karnataka both at Electronics city flyover and Attibele were in utter confusion. Traffic was piled up with no clear demarcation for fastag and non fastag users with users delaying auto toll pays.

In Kerala and Tamilnadu most toll booths have a clear demarcation of Cash vs Fast tag with users diverting traffic. In a couple of places, where there were no people and a few cars went into unmanned booths and had to wait for people to pay cash delaying automatic entry. The journey was much smoother than before with more booths accepting fastag. Previous fastag lanes were either hooged by slow trucks or you were stuck behind a cash payment car.


Road update:
Kuthiran and Coimbatore bypass still a major problem. Highways in Kerala from Walayar till Thrissur being widened or in maintenance with some diversions near junctions. Google maps provides accurate times. There is increased surveillance in Kerala for speeding and I notcied at least 7-8 speed monitoring vans from Walayar to Kochi.

I drove this morning. 3.30 am departure from Bangalore, 12.30 pm arrival at Perumbavur. Pretty much identical experience. I really enjoyed the full potential fastag experience at all toll booths till Coimbatore - Attibele included - did I have to stop (ie, come to a standstill).

Serendipitously found out that even the Coimbatore bypass takes fastag now, but only on the right of the two lanes. In one booth I went in the left lane, and the booth attendant had to come out to manually open the boom for me. Two charges, one at the entry point for Rs. 17 and the other at the exit for Rs. 28 seems to be the protocol.

Paliyekkara was a 20 minute delay. I complained that though the lane I took was marked strictly for tag-sporting vehicles they were letting in cash payers also. The toll attendant said they will stop that only from January.

Saw a 10 minute jam in Angamali limits so too the Google-suggested route through FISAT campus towards Malayattoor.

I had driven that way in October. It is very good with heavy traffic. No other worries.