[narayans80]

Originally Posted by arvind71181

Based on the posts above, if I travel I day time, which I am planning tomorrow (9 AM start from Chennai),

I did at night. 845 pm start from Alankar hotel (615 pm start from SRM) and reached Tumkur at 105 am. When I crossed Pallikonda and Gudiyatham were free, might not be the case for your timings. Otherwise the roads in the plains were wide 2-lane. The ghat section is narrow, but decent enough for a lorry and car to pass abreast. If you are taking from Katpadi, you'll bypass Gudiyatham, but will go through Peranambut and V Kota.

Originally Posted by adisan

Considered taking this route?

Thanks. Never considered, as it is too roundabout for the use case of this thread.

[srvm]

Originally Posted by adisan

Considered taking this route? It is slightly longer and probably does not save any time but might be an easier drive.

I drove partially through this route a few months back, going from Kanchipuram to Tiruttani. The segment between Arakkonam Jashva's roundana and Arakkonam Bypass was not narrow, but was a bit uneven with several patched potholes.

Attachment 2761510

The Arakkonam-Sholinghur stretch via Salai is rough and top layer is patchy at best. Best avoided. The Route via Tiruttani-RK Pet-Sholinghur is much better in terms of surface. Agreed, road inside RKPet is narrow.

Originally Posted by narayans80

I did at night. 845 pm start from Alankar hotel (615 pm start from SRM) and reached Tumkur at 105 am. When I crossed Pallikonda and Gudiyatham were free, might not be the case for your timings. Otherwise the roads in the plains were wide 2-lane. The ghat section is narrow, but decent enough for a lorry and car to pass abreast. If you are taking from Katpadi, you'll bypass Gudiyatham, but will go through Peranambut and V Kota.
Thanks. Never considered, as it is too roundabout for the use case of this thread.

Thanks for this. So, you went inside Gudiyattam town and not the new bypass? Also, Bathalapalli ghat/forest section is open in the night as well?

[narayans80]

Originally Posted by srvm

Thanks for this. So, you went inside Gudiyattam town and not the new bypass? Also, Bathalapalli ghat/forest section is open in the night as well?

I can't recollect any Gudiyatham bypass from the Pallikonda side, there is a bypass coming from Katpadi/Virichipuram side.

The ghat/forest section was open, no restrictions. I must've passed around 1030-1100 pm ish.

Atleast a dozen Madras/Bangalore vehicles were taking the route and there was company all the way till the expressway entry.

[NPV]

Received this from a friend, I haven’t validated it, but just wanted to share it here for what it’s worth, would suggest everyone to be alert and cautious when taking the new road.
Link

[arvind71181]

Travelled via this route on wards towards Bangalore (near airport) from Siruseri. Took the Vellore - Pallikonda - Gudiyatham - Venkatagiri Kota - NE Expressway - Bangalore route

Maybe as it was mid week when I travelled, there was not much traffic anywhere. Did not expect the ghats to be so steep with hair pin bends though. Was a good drive. Planned to return via the same route as well but then saw some reports of vandalism so came back via the Chittoor - Katpadi - Vellore route which was good as well.