[naveen.raju]

Originally Posted by ampere

Why not the Theni/Dindigul/Trichy option? Should work out much much better in my opinion. The only hitch is the best option to reach Theni.

Either : Ernakulam-MVPA-Kothamangalam-Adimali-Rajakkad-Bodi-Theni (ghats)

or Ernakulam-MVPA-Thodupuzha-Iddukki-Kattapana-Cumbum-Theni. Once past Theni you are on the fast track.

Not sure Idukki route is good now. Anyways, am driving to Idukki tomorrow so can decide whether to take this route or not. How is Bodi - Theni route?

[ampere]

Originally Posted by naveen.raju

Not sure Idukki route is good now. Anyways, am driving to Idukki tomorrow so can decide whether to take this route or not. How is Bodi - Theni route?

Bodi-Theni is decent. The problem I thought was Bodi-Munnar (which anyway you wont need). But dont know how is Adimali-Rajakkad-Bodi.
I thought (not sure) Iddukki-Kattapana-Cumbum was good. Some rough edges around Kumily. Would be good to confirm. But on the whole worth a try, given the pathetic state of Trichy-Palakkad-Walayar.

[pramodpk]

Originally Posted by ampere

Why not the Theni/Dindigul/Trichy option? Should work out much much better in my opinion. The only hitch is the best option to reach Theni.

Either : Ernakulam-MVPA-Kothamangalam-Adimali-Rajakkad-Bodi-Theni (ghats)

or Ernakulam-MVPA-Thodupuzha-Iddukki-Kattapana-Cumbum-Theni. Once past Theni you are on the fast track.

I am driving to Vaikom tomorrow. I have never taken the Cumbum Theni route as it is longer by around 50 - 60 KMs than the regulare Palakkad route. But since the Aluva - Kalamassery section is bad due to Metro work, thinking of taking this.
How is the condition of the road? Where do I exit NH 7 at Dindigul?

[ampere]

Originally Posted by pramodpk

IWhere do I exit NH 7 at Dindigul?

Thats very easy. You must have noticed when you continued towards TVM on the Dindigul bypass. Its the second exit on the bypass (first is for Palani/Udumalpet). You should easily spot it

[androdev]

What is the current status of the following route?

Bangalore - Krishnagiri - Salem - Coimbatore - Palakkad - Mannarkkad

Should I be prepared for any bad stretches, delays, etc.? How much driving time (excluding breaks) should I plan for?

[ampere]

Originally Posted by androdev

What is the current status of the following route?

Bangalore - Krishnagiri - Salem - Coimbatore - Palakkad - Mannarkkad

Should I be prepared for any bad stretches, delays, etc.? How much driving time (excluding breaks) should I plan for?

The whole thread is on that! And the texture changes by the day and by the page!

CBE-Walayar-Palakkad is not that great these days. So you should do :

Bangalore-Salem-Avinashi-Palladam-Pollachi-Palakkad-Mannarkad. A slight detour, but definitely worth it.

The 4-lane till Avinashi is perfect.

[NPV]

Originally Posted by ampere

Bangalore-Salem-Avinashi-Palladam-Pollachi-Palakkad-Mannarkad. A slight detour, but definitely worth it.

OR
Bangalore-Salem-Perundurai-Kangeyam-Palladam-Pollachi-Palakkad-Mannarkad. Enjoy excellent 2 laned roads after 4 laned section upto Perundurai

[ampere]

Originally Posted by NPV

OR
Bangalore-Salem-Perundurai-Kangeyam-Palladam-Pollachi-Palakkad-Mannarkad. Enjoy excellent 2 laned roads after 4 laned section upto Perundurai

I think with the Mangalam work almost done, getting into Perundurai does not make sense any more. Mangalam-Palladam is a straight option. Earlier it was difficult with the railway over bridge. I think its almost done. Would be good to know the latest on that work.

[coolclouds]

Originally Posted by pramodpk

I am driving to Vaikom tomorrow. I have never taken the Cumbum Theni route as it is longer by around 50 - 60 KMs than the regulare Palakkad route. But since the Aluva - Kalamassery section is bad due to Metro work, thinking of taking this.
How is the condition of the road? Where do I exit NH 7 at Dindigul?

Pramod, Aluva-Kalamassery-Edappally is in bad condition. It took me more than one hour to do the Kalamassery-Edappally stretch yesterday. Even if you are taking NH47, avoid this section. You may try Aluva-Kalamassery-Seaport-Airport road-Tripunithura (or Thiruvamkulam-Puthiyakavu) -Vaikom route.

Originally Posted by androdev

What is the current status of the following route?

Bangalore - Krishnagiri - Salem - Coimbatore - Palakkad - Mannarkkad

Should I be prepared for any bad stretches, delays, etc.? How much driving time (excluding breaks) should I plan for?

You can do Bangalore-L&T exit in 5-6 hours. L&T exit till Palakkad may take 1-1.5 hours time and road is not smooth. You may consider Pollachi route for a smooth surface.

Originally Posted by ampere

I think with the Mangalam work almost done, getting into Perundurai does not make sense any more. Mangalam-Palladam is a straight option. Earlier it was difficult with the railway over bridge. I think its almost done. Would be good to know the latest on that work.

Mangalam bridge is completed and road is in good condition.

[ampere]

Originally Posted by coolclouds

Mangalam bridge is completed and road is in good condition.

Thats news indeed! Thanks for sharing. That saves the Perundurai-Kangeyam detour. One can be on 4-lane for longer too.

[silversteed]

Originally Posted by ampere

I think with the Mangalam work almost done, getting into Perundurai does not make sense any more. Mangalam-Palladam is a straight option. Earlier it was difficult with the railway over bridge. I think its almost done. Would be good to know the latest on that work.

Originally Posted by coolclouds

Mangalam bridge is completed and road is in good condition.

Did that route in July. The Mangalam overbridge is done now. Saves distance and time, as there are not as many busy towns on this stretch as the Kangeyam route.

Originally Posted by coolclouds

You can do Bangalore-L&T exit in 5-6 hours. L&T exit till Palakkad may take 1-1.5 hours time and road is not smooth. You may consider Pollachi route for a smooth surface.

Jain, don't you think B'lore to L&T exit in 5 hours is a little optimistic, unless we're travelling at odd hours? The road maintenance going on somewhere near Dharmapuri (IIRC) where the traffic is allowed on only side of the median, Salem town and the truck traffic on L&T bypass road - all slow us down considerably.

[PatienceWins]

Originally Posted by ampere

The whole thread is on that! And the texture changes by the day and by the page!

CBE-Walayar-Palakkad is not that great these days. So you should do :

Bangalore-Salem-Avinashi-Palladam-Pollachi-Palakkad-Mannarkad. A slight detour, but definitely worth it.

The 4-lane till Avinashi is perfect.

I have to go to Aluva this weekend. As per Google maps, from Pollachi I can join NH47 at Vadakanchery. Is this the correct route to go to Aluva? Thanks

[ampere]

Originally Posted by PatienceWins

I have to go to Aluva this weekend. As per Google maps, from Pollachi I can join NH47 at Vadakanchery. Is this the correct route to go to Aluva? Thanks

Yes thats is correct.

Pollachi-Meenakshipuram-Kollengode-Vadakkenchery.

[treadmark]

Folks, Need advice on road from Bangalore to Kolagappara (Wayanad). I will be visiting Wayanad tomorrow and planning to return on Sunday evening. I would like to explore both Gundulpet ~ Sulthanbathery and Mananthavady ~ Handpost routes. Please help me which one to use during to and fro travel. Appreciate your help in naming few tourist spots as well that can be covered in two days.
Thank you in advance.
Cheers!

[suresh_gs]

Originally Posted by treadmark

Folks, Need advice on road from Bangalore to Kolagappara (Wayanad). I will be visiting Wayanad tomorrow and planning to return on Sunday evening. I would like to explore both Gundulpet ~ Sulthanbathery and Mananthavady ~ Handpost routes. Please help me which one to use during to and fro travel. Appreciate your help in naming few tourist spots as well that can be covered in two days.
Thank you in advance.
Cheers!

For 2 days stay in Wayanad, you can cover Kuruva dweep, Banasurasagar dam and lakkidi view point on day 1 and for day 2, Edakkal caves and soojippara falls. Will be hectic though.