[addyhemmige]

Originally Posted by sandsun7

Also during inauguration/bhumipooja, the local MP has announced that another 16 crores has been allocated for the development of Handpost-sadgur road. This would be developed into an alternate route byepassing the national park completely (joining kerala via Palvelicham) and hence would be motorable even during night.

I'm not very sure about this. I don't think you can avoid the National Park area whichever route you take from the handpost. Can you post a gmap link for this route?

[sandsun7]

Originally Posted by addyhemmige

I'm not very sure about this. I don't think you can avoid the National Park area whichever route you take from the handpost. Can you post a gmap link for this route?

Not much details on the alignment of the proposed route were given in that article, but I clearly remember the proposal made a couple of months ago by some travel forums in Wayanad.
these two links could provide a clearer idea
http://www.deccanherald.com/content/...-suggests.html

http://www.deccanherald.com/content/...e-linking.html
Source: deccan herald

[Gypsy]

Originally Posted by ampere

Given that NH212 is bad, does it now make sense to take Gundlupet-Gudalur-Nilambur-Edvanna-Mavoor-Calicut route?

Though its narrow, how is the road condition?

The road is good. Nadukani Churam is deteriorating. Recently did a trip to Cochin through This route. I had rather recommend the S Bathery - Ambalavayal - Vaduvanchal - Chundale - Calicut route. I was able to keep a constant speed on this road, Though Not above 120. Average speed would be some where between 70 - 75

[addyhemmige]

Originally Posted by sandsun7

Not much details on the alignment of the proposed route were given in that article, but I clearly remember the proposal made a couple of months ago by some travel forums in Wayanad.
these two links could provide a clearer idea
http://www.deccanherald.com/content/...-suggests.html

http://www.deccanherald.com/content/...e-linking.html
Source: deccan herald

These links talk about the same route which you have provided the link for. Here is the full route mentioned in the articles.

http://goo.gl/maps/ImecW

This route does pass through Nagarhole National Park area (no way around it) but for a short distance. It also deviates to Palvelicham after crossing Bavali instead of continuing through the forest to Kattikulam.

[sandsun7]

Originally Posted by addyhemmige

This route does pass through Nagarhole National Park area (no way around it) but for a short distance. It also deviates to Palvelicham after crossing Bavali instead of continuing through the forest to Kattikulam.

But according to those reports, the distance through the National park is just 4 kms.

wildlife experts contended that it was possible to construct an alternative road for at least 10 km out of the 14 km through the Park. Accordingly, a request was made to the KSHIP authorities to take up the work on the alternative route.

The prime reason why the KKT forum in Wayanad is pressing for this alignment is because it avoids most if the national park and hence could be opened to night traffic. They with the help of some experts had taken up a study and had proposed the realignment. I remember reading that few kms of fresh roads has to be laid and a bridge across Kabani has to be built near Byrankuppa for this road.

EDIT: found this now. Seems to be the same proposal :http://kaumudiglobal.com/printerpage.php?newsid=9066

[addyhemmige]

Originally Posted by sandsun7

But according to those reports, the distance through the National park is just 4 kms.



The prime reason why the KKT forum in Wayanad is pressing for this alignment is because it avoids most if the national park and hence could be opened to night traffic. They with the help of some experts had taken up a study and had proposed the realignment. I remember reading that few kms of fresh roads has to be laid and a bridge across Kabani has to be built near Byrankuppa for this road.

I'm confused. I still don't see how they are going to avoid the forest. If you see the satellite view from google maps, the listed villages in the article are along the route in the link that I posted.

Lets wait and see.

[fundagenie]

Originally Posted by Kairalee

On our return we took the Alapuzha, Changanaserry, Kumily, Munnar, Udumalaipettai, Dharapuram, Kangayam, Perundurai to Salem.

Except for about 20 kms of the roads inside the Annamalai Tiger reserve (Indira Gandhi National park), the rest of roads (mostly two laned) till Salem are butter smooth with well behaved traffic and adequate signages.

Planning to travel to Changanacherry this weekend. I have travelled via Palakkad as well as Theni. This time around was thinking of taking the above route. So how are the roads apart from the 20kms . Are they wide enough, cos during some of my trips I have taken routes trusting Google maps and had to encouter some really risky roads both in terms of its condition as well as narrowness, though Google maps would list them as some state or national highways.

Also I had noticed on the Salem-ernakulam highway, I could continue after Perundurai to Perumanallur, turn to Tiruppur and reach Udumalaipettai via Palladam and SH 97 (as shown by Google). So any idea how this route is and how it compares to the route provided above.

How is the Dindigul-Theni-Cumbum road. The last time I travelled on this route was 6-8 months back and then 80% of the Dindigul-theni stretch was undergoing road widening work, and we really lost a lot of time. So has the work completed. Again what is the current road condition from Theni - Cumbum .

FundaG

[gajadonga]

Originally Posted by fundagenie

How is the Dindigul-Theni-Cumbum road. The last time I travelled on this route was 6-8 months back and then 80% of the Dindigul-theni stretch was undergoing road widening work, and we really lost a lot of time. So has the work completed. Again what is the current road condition from Theni - Cumbum .

FundaG

This route is the same with lot of work going on but drivable.I had driven a month back.
You tend to lose time as there are lot of diversions.
If you are still planning for this route then from Dindugal - Nilakottai - Batalagundu - Theni is a better option.

[pariwar]

Originally Posted by fundagenie

roads apart from the 20kms ......

Perundurai to Perumanallur, turn to Tiruppur FundaG

Fundagenie, response two parts of your query.

It is not 20 kms, it is exactly 13 kms of poor roads in the Annaimalai / Chinnar area. Speeds will not be greater than 20 kmph and gear will rarely go above 2nd. Can be done by a low ground clearance vehicle too.

Tiruppur will take away a lot of traffic time and hence advisable to turn off at Perundurai.

[Kairalee]

Originally Posted by fundagenie

This time around was thinking of taking the above route. So how are the roads apart from the 20kms . Are they wide enough, cos during some of my trips I have taken routes trusting Google maps and had to encouter some really risky roads both in terms of its condition as well as narrowness, though Google maps would list them as some state or national highways.

Most of it is two laned but adequately wide enough with a good surface. Moreover, the traffic density is negligible so you can do some decent constant speeds, safely.

[fiesta]

Fundagenie, if you are planning to go via Munnar, you need not go till Kumily.

Take left from Kuttikanam (21 KMS after Mundakayam), the road will take you to Kattapana.. then follow road signs to take turn towards Munnar. It will save your 23 odd KMS.

[binaiks]

Any idea on the current status of Virajpet-Kutta-Mananthavady route? Suresh Kallada (Kallada Tours and Travels) has started a new Volvo multi-axle servie through that route to Kozhikode, from Bangalore. (Bangalore-Ernakulam via Mysore, Kozhikode, Guruvayur, Kodungallur). Is the road in good state?

[sandsun7]

Originally Posted by binaiks

Any idea on the current status of Virajpet-Kutta-Mananthavady route? Suresh Kallada (Kallada Tours and Travels) has started a new Volvo multi-axle servie through that route to Kozhikode, from Bangalore. (Bangalore-Ernakulam via Mysore, Kozhikode, Guruvayur, Kodungallur). Is the road in good state?

Binai are you sure about the route? because Mysore to Kozhikode can be done either through Hunsur-Gonikoppal-Virajpet-Iritty-Telicherry-Vadakara route or through Hunsur-Gonikoppal-Ponnampet-Srimangala-Kutta-Manathavady-Kalpetta route (assuming it is a night service) So Virajpet-Kutta-Mananthavady does not look right.
About the roads, the former one is in horrible condition from Hunsur to Virajpet and latter as heard from locals, bad from Hunsur to Kerala border (5km after Kutta). However, I had driven upto Iruppu falls last week from Kutta, around 6 kms on the route to Gonikoppal and found around 2-3 kms (intermittently) excellently relaid.

[psvinay]

Originally Posted by deetjohn

Pala - Ponkunnam is in good shape. I went last month.

The road I took was Tripunithura - Piravom - Koothattukulam - Uzhavoor - Pala - Ponkunam. The Uzhavoor stretch, though narrow is absolutely amazing to drive.

Thanks for this input. Do we have any decent restaurant on this way?

[binaiks]

Originally Posted by sandsun7

Binai are you sure about the route? because Mysore to Kozhikode can be done either through Hunsur-Gonikoppal-Virajpet-Iritty-Telicherry-Vadakara route or through Hunsur-Gonikoppal-Ponnampet-Srimangala-Kutta-Manathavady-Kalpetta route (assuming it is a night service) So Virajpet-Kutta-Mananthavady does not look right.

My bad. It was Gonikoppa that I meant. The bus is via Hunsur-Gonikoppa-Kutta-MDY. Since they are sending a multi-axle bus this way, I guess the road is in fairly motorable shape.