[tomchacks]

I had travelled on 12th to Bangalore from Kochi by car along with my wife. we were getting whatsapp messages on the way about the situation in Bangalore. We took the Salem by pass from Sankeri to Omallur. Nothing strange happened till Thopur.(5 pm) After that TN police were stopping Karnataka vehicles and making them(in fact helping them) remove their KA registration plates. These vehicles were then travelling without number plates. Kerala and TN vehicles were allowed to proceed. The traffic thinned down after Krishnagiri and only few cars were going in either direction. We did not face any problems and did not see any crowds or blockades. After Attibele, police barricades were in place at places to restrict traffic to one lane and we reduced speed as advised over FM radio to avoid stumbling on burnt articles. Nothing was seen along Hosur road and we reached Frazer Town by 745 pm without any stoppage or trouble. Of course traffic did pick up after Silkboard flyover.

[A350XWB]

My friend came back from Kerala yesterday night and had a horrible experience at Salem. Just after passing Grand Estancia, there is a signal. When he reached there, the signal was red and his car was the first vehicle at the signal. Two people approached the car and suddenly they removed iron rods from the shirts and smashed the windshield. They tried to smash the side glass and also the rear windshield, but the rods hit the car body, making deep gashes as he sped away from there. His wife and 6 year old daughter were there with him at that time. After that, nothing happened and he reached Bangalore around 11pm. He also witnessed an Etios being stoned by people hiding in the bushes on the median. Other than these, he told that the journey was OK.

[sanjaykk]

Originally Posted by A350XWB

My friend came back from Kerala yesterday night and had a horrible experience at Salem. Just after passing Grand Estancia, there is a signal. When he reached there, the signal was red and his car was the first vehicle at the signal. Two people approached the car and suddenly they removed iron rods from the shirts and smashed the windshield. They tried to smash the side glass and also the rear windshield, but the rods hit the car body, making deep gashes as he sped away from there. His wife and 6 year old daughter were there with him at that time. After that, nothing happened and he reached Bangalore around 11pm. He also witnessed an Etios being stoned by people hiding in the bushes on the median. Other than these, he told that the journey was OK.

Was this a KA reg car or a KL reg car?

[Sree73]

Originally Posted by A350XWB

Other than these, he told that the journey was OK.

OMG. What all horrifying experiences innocent travellers need to suffer? If these things can happen in highways, what will be the conditions of secluded roads?

[blorebuddy]

Have anyone travelled today via Salem, Hosur to Bangalore? Can I travel with KA registration?

[A350XWB]

Originally Posted by sanjaykk

Was this a KA reg car or a KL reg car?

He was in a KA registered car. Will try to post the pictures in the evening, if he has not given the car already for repair work.

Originally Posted by Sree73

OMG. What all horrifying experiences innocent travellers need to suffer? If these things can happen in highways, what will be the conditions of secluded roads?

That's what I was thinking. When traveling with family, usually you are spared, but times are changing. He is happy that only the car suffered damages; it can be repaired

[sachinpk]

Home sweet.. Home (in time for Onam)
Folks, finally managed to move out of Bangalore. Yesterday at around 1200Hrs after checking the situation on the ground, decided to make a dash towards the KA-KL border at Gundlupet. At least in my part of the city every thing including small shops and petrol pumps were open. Took the NICE Rd->Kanakapura->Malavalli->Kollegal->Chamrajnagar->Gundlupet->Muthanga route. Not even one single incident involving threats, or even rude behaviour was there. It was like driving down during a holiday. At places between Kanakapura and Malavalli, there were spots which had black markings on the road. Due to tyre burning on the roads. All places chosen with good planning to stop vehicle movement. Just before bridges, or at busy junctions where vehicles cannot make quick detours.

After we took the Kollegal route the burnt tyre markings stopped completely. Between Kollegal and Chamrajnagar we also stopped for 45 mins of a leisuerly packed lunch. Reached the forest check post at Gundlupet by around 1700Hrs. By 1730Hrs, we were inside KL state.

We reached Vythiri at 1815 hours and the night-mare started from then own. Thamarassery Ghat road was just a big mess, it would even beat Silk Board Jn. hollow. Too many vehicles, and amongst them super-crawlers like trucks inching their way forward. It took me around 3 hours to clear this 20 odd km, ghat section. It was at around 2115hrs when we cleared the huge jam. Had to quickly find a hotel to have our dinner and drive on. We reached Kozhikode at around 1015Hrs.

Came back to say: My vehicle is KA registered.

[arjithin]

Originally Posted by sachinpk

We reached Vythiri at 1815 hours and the night-mare started from then own. Thamarassery Ghat road was just a big mess, it would even beat Silk Board Jn. hollow. Too many vehicles, and amongst them super-crawlers like trucks inching their way forward. It took me around 3 hours to clear this 20 odd km, ghat section.

Onam rush..Tourists visiting Wayanad during Onam vacation and trying to leave Wayanad by evening. Expect this every day evening till 18th.

[PatienceWins]

I just came back to Bangalore from Aluva in KA registered vehicle.

Route: Aluva > Trissur > Coimbatore > Salem > Dharmapuri > Krishnagiri > Hosur > Bangalore

I started from Aluva at 4 AM, reached Walayar at 5:30 AM. A policeman stopped my vehicle and informed me that there was stone pelting at KA registered vehicles yesterday night. He told me to be careful. The watchman at A2B before Bhavani told me that KA vehicles which stopped there yesterday night were asked by police to remove the number plate to be safe. I reached Dharmapuri at 10 AM and was stopped by police for escort. There were around 4 vehicles waiting and we started from there with police escort when the vehicle count reached around 12. Reached home in Marathahalli at 2 PM. I am very happy that I took the usual route instead of Bathery> Chamarajnagar> Kanakpura route which would take more time and difficult to manage with kids who have travel sickness.

My friend who started late, 9 AM from Chavakad, was stopped at Coimbatore toll for escort. The escort was very slow and he reached Dharmapuri at 5:30 PM. He is yet to reach Bangalore.

Very happy with the protection given by TN police on highway.

[blorebuddy]

Same experience with me. Police removed my number plate and travelled without number plate till Thoppur. Reached Thoppur at 4:30 pm. Convoy started with 15 vehicles till Kaveripattinam. Waited for the Jeep to come for 40 mins and again waited for all the vehicles to come and cross the toll. Then started with around 50 vehicles and police Convoy was there till Attibele. Reached Electronic city by 8:40pm

[sbkumar]

My friend has to plan his return trip from Kottayam to BLR either tomorrow or day after. Can anyone provide suggestions for a safer route, given the circumstances? Also is there anyone else in the same situation? Given the Onam break, I'm assuming more guys in the same dilemma ? Also will this escort thing continue for more days ?

[sajidclt]

I travelled yesterday via the following route.

Palakkad - Cherplassery - Perinthalmanna - Manjery - Thamarassery - Gundlupet - Chamrajnagar - Kollegal - Malavalli - Bangalore

Started at 10:15 AM and reached Bangalore (JP Nagar) by 9:30 PM (including multiple breaks) The route, after passing the forest, was peaceful and smooth. There was a bit of a block in the Ghat section and generally heavy traffic throughout Wyanad.

People taking this route need to watch out for traffic in the Ghat section. And yes, I travelled in a KA registration vehicle, hence the circuitous route (40 km more in distance, but 3 hrs more travel time)

My cousin who travelled yesterday was stopped by TN police at Walayar (around 3pm) and was asked to wait for more vehicles to join the convoy with escort. He chose to head back and some other vehicles also did the same as per him.

Edit: I passed Bathery at 4:30 PM

[neutralgrey]

Originally Posted by sajidclt

Palakkad - Cherplassery - Perinthalmanna - Manjery - Thamarassery - Gundlupet - Chamrajnagar - Kollegal - Malavalli - Bangalore

I am planning to travel to Palakkad next Wednesday, starting from Bengaluru at 1 in the afternoon and following the quoted route in a KA reg vehicle. Will there be any timing issues in crossing the forest sections at night? Realistically, by what time can I make it to Palakkad? Thanks.

[mpksuhas]

Originally Posted by neutralgrey

I am planning to travel to Palakkad next Wednesday, starting from Bengaluru at 1 in the afternoon and following the quoted route in a KA reg vehicle. Will there be any timing issues in crossing the forest sections at night? Realistically, by what time can I make it to Palakkad? Thanks.

-Make sure you reach Gundlupet forest check post before closure at 09:00 PM.
-NICE road exit to Gundlupet will take around 3.30 hours of drive.
-You can expect to reach Thamarassery in around 7.5 hours from NICE road exit.
- Thamarassery - Palakkad will take around 3.5 hours.

[Jaggu]

Originally Posted by sajidclt

My cousin who travelled yesterday was stopped by TN police at Walayar (around 3pm) and was asked to wait for more vehicles to join the convoy with escort. He chose to head back and some other vehicles also did the same as per him.

My brother was one among the people who were stopped, he got impatient and took the route to wayanad, by the time he reached Thamarassery it was 730pm and full choko-blocked. He realized he would miss the 9 pm deadline, so headed for Kutta and finally reached mysore at 2.45 am and halted there. Morning 6.30 am he started and reached HSR by around 9 am.

I think he made a mistake and he should have waited longer for convoy to start and would have got home by 10 at night

Convoys are anyday safe and TN police have very strict orders that KA cars should not be harmed in anyway, use that privilege i would say. Seeing FB updates of people being escorted and even courteous police offering tools to remove number plates for their drive inside TN.

Edit:

Originally Posted by neutralgrey

I am planning to travel to Palakkad next Wednesday, starting from Bengaluru at 1 in the afternoon and following the quoted route in a KA reg vehicle. Will there be any timing issues in crossing the forest sections at night? Realistically, by what time can I make it to Palakkad? Thanks.

Apart from the above post by mpksuhas. I would suggest you wait for next week since things can change every few days with such issues.