[naveen.raju]

This was the situation yesterday. That too at 5am. Lost an hour here.



Revised rates at Krishnagiri toll from today.



Like many others had mentioned, there are N numbers of barricades near the Salem stretch. It's placed at every junction and dont be surprised to see around 30-40 barricades. It does slow you down.

Kuthiran -Pattikad-Mannuthy is bad with huge potholes and traffic at a slow pace. Can't imagine how this stretch would be during the peak hours.

[pramodpk]

Originally Posted by naveen.raju

Like many others had mentioned, there are N numbers of barricades near the Salem stretch. It's placed at every junction and dont be surprised to see around 30-40 barricades.

40 barricades? Don't understand the purpose of building highways if barricades are placed at every junction. Toll rates keep on going up and driving experience gets worse. Frustrating.

[suresh_gs]

Originally Posted by naveen.raju

This was the situation yesterday. That too at 5am. Lost an hour here.

Revised rates at Krishnagiri toll from today.

The best solution will be to explore alternate routes considering the toll price hike and more traffic jams near toll plazas that increases the travelling time.

[gadadhar]

Originally Posted by naveen.raju

This was the situation yesterday. That too at 5am. Lost an hour here.

Attachment 1671526

Revised rates at Krishnagiri toll from today.

Attachment 1671527

Like many others had mentioned, there are N numbers of barricades near the Salem stretch. It's placed at every junction and dont be surprised to see around 30-40 barricades. It does slow you down.

Whole purpose of having 4 lane highway is beaten by the rush at these toll dates, adding the pain are these unscientific barricades. Might make sense to use Kanakpura, Pollachi, Alathur stretch.

[sourav9385]

Wrapped up the drive from Chennai to Thrissur today in about 8 hours We started from Chennai at 4:30 AM, stopped at the Salem Saravana Bhavan for 20 minutes for breakfast, and the wife & I were at home in Thrissur by 1 PM, just in time for lunch

Thanks to those who suggested the Alathur route. The road was narrow at some points, but was very smooth with nary a pothole. Traffic was absolutely minimal.

The last stretch from Vazhacode to Thrissur was quite bad, and the road surface was completely ripped off in many places. Other than that, smooth sailing all around. There were quite a few barricades after crossing Salem. Which was very irritating. We didn't experience any traffic jams on any toll booths today however.

[arjithin]

Reports from local news papers say the Bypass road for Paliakkara toll is opened by Dist collector and local MLA.

http://m.manoramaonline.com/news/lat...laza-open.html

NH contractor has approached high court for a stay, but that will be considered only after Onam vacation.

[vinuchel]

Friends, what would be the best route to travel by car from Kukke Subramanya (Dakshina Kannada, Karnataka) to Trichur (kerala)? My car is Tiago (p) which hates overtaking due to low pickup ?
The usual route I used to follow was
1. Kukke>Virajpet>Makuta ghat>Iritty>Kuthuparambu>Kunhipalli>Vadakara>Kozhi kode>Trichur.

Once I tried this route
2. Kukke>Virajpet>Gonikoppa>Kuttta>Mananthavadi>Thott ilpalam>Kozhikode>Trichur

Any other route where traffic is least (even if KM is excess to tune of 50km) because I hate bumper to bumper traffic in highways. Normally I prefer to start late by 5pm (kukke)

Originally Posted by arjithin

Reports from local news papers say the Bypass road for Paliakkara toll is opened by Dist collector and local MLA.

http://m.manoramaonline.com/news/lat...laza-open.html

NH contractor has approached high court for a stay, but that will be considered only after Onam vacation.

Now the toll will be used only by heavy vehicles and there would be 2-3 km queue in the Paliyekkara parallel road.

[ampere]

Originally Posted by vinuchel

Friends, what would be the best route to travel by car from Kukke Subramanya (Dakshina Kannada, Karnataka) to Trichur (kerala)? My car is Tiago (p) which hates overtaking due to low pickup ?
The usual route I used to follow was

Since you are already familiar on these roads, wont comment on them. One option I was thinking is to find which is the least intrusive option of all?

Was thinking of Hunsur-HD Kote-Bargur. Followed by the familiar Nilambur road. But that looks to be a long detour.

[vinuchel]

Originally Posted by ampere

Since you are already familiar on these roads, wont comment on them. One option I was thinking is to find which is the least intrusive option of all?

Was thinking of Hunsur-HD Kote-Bargur. Followed by the familiar Nilambur road. But that looks to be a long detour.

Quite a long detour but looks like less traffic compared to other routes. How's the road condition in that route?

[naveen.raju]

Returned from Bangalore today. Being Onam, it was a breeze and one relaxing drive. Was able to see the horrible section near Pattikad in daylight. The road was completely broken in many sections and covered with loose metal and gravel.

Some pictures taken near Pattikad. The newly laid road was nicely done. Good to see that it's wide and not the usual stuff.







Completed the drive in good time with two breaks totaling to 30 mins.

[pramodpk]

Came across this news article about the Mannuthy - Vadakkencherry section.

http://www.thehindu.com/news/nationa...le19631976.ece

[vjjustin]

Originally Posted by vjjustin

I am now thinking 31st and 6th; hope will not have much traffic.

The trip was almost uneventful with less traffic both ways especially return on 6th. Started at 7am on 31st and reached home (Angamaly) around 4.30 PM, after stops for breakfast/lunch and another at Mannuthy nursery. Return started at 8am reached around 5PM.

While returning, the idiot CM of Tamilnadu decided it is a nice idea to block the entire Coimbatore-Salem expressway so he and his gang can have a smooth journey. All the vehicles were diverted through service road!! (that after paying toll). When will these idiots learn commonsense?

Originally Posted by gadadhar

Whole purpose of having 4 lane highway is beaten by the rush at these toll dates, adding the pain are these unscientific barricades. Might make sense to use Kanakpura, Pollachi, Alathur stretch.

Many of the barricades were partially removed while coming back, instead of an S, now its more of a C.

Originally Posted by naveen.raju

Kuthiran -Pattikad-Mannuthy is bad with huge potholes and traffic at a slow pace. Can't imagine how this stretch would be during the peak hours.

Pattikad-Mannuthy is the bad stretch. Kuthiran-Pattikkad is almost done. I guess Kuthiran should be ready before Easter/Holy week travel next year? Not sure on the Dec deadline.

Originally Posted by vjjustin

How is the condition of, and traffic on, MC road?

This was smooth journey as well. Except in few places, this is almost done; wide roads and sparse traffic.

Originally Posted by treadmark

But then I wont advise on filling it on your day of travel... for fueling will have a cascading delay on your traveling time.

I know I shouldn't

[naveen.raju]

Originally Posted by vjjustin

Many of the barricades were partially removed while coming back, instead of an S, now its more of a C.

Pattikad-Mannuthy is the bad stretch. Kuthiran-Pattikkad is almost done. I guess Kuthiran should be ready before Easter/Holy week travel next year? Not sure on the Dec deadline.

No wonder I could see many removed during my return drive.

I seriously doubt it will be ready this year although the bridge is almost done. There's still quite a lot to do with the work inside the tunnel. Easter seems possible. But again, the 4 lane or should I say 6 lane work on the entire stretch seems tough. Guess there are couple of bridges to be constructed right?

[gadadhar]

Originally Posted by vjjustin

Many of the barricades were partially removed while coming back, instead of an S, now its more of a C.

That is interesting, curious to know whether it is helping the situation when traffic is heavy.

[Thunderbird]

Originally Posted by vinuchel

Any other route where traffic is least (even if KM is excess to tune of 50km) because I hate bumper to bumper traffic in highways. Normally I prefer to start late by 5pm (kukke)

Since you are starting late from Kukke why don't you try NH-66(NH-17):

Kukke >> Sullia >> Jalsoor >> Cherkala >> Kanhangad >> Kannur >> Kozhikode >> Thrissur

After sunset the density of private cars and private buses reduces significantly on Kerala highways.