[adnaps]

Did a run to Thiru this weekend.

Chengam byepass is complete and open.

Was not sure of the status of the Uthangarai by-pass. The way the barricades were placed, at the start of the by-pass was not sure of the status. Since the other vehicles ahead were avoiding the by-pass, chickened out and drove though the town. Any brave soul tried the Uthangarai by-pass?

[subincb]

Singarapettai bypass is almost ready as of today. One bridge parapet and final asphalt layer pending rest all complete. Motorcycles can pass from under the bridge. Had taken uttangarai and samalpettai bypass some time back and they were no where near ready. Bridges not completed and no exit to existing road in uttangarai.

[rajwheelz]

Originally Posted by adnaps

Did a run to Thiru this weekend.

Chengam byepass is complete and open.

Was not sure of the status of the Uthangarai by-pass. The way the barricades were placed, at the start of the by-pass was not sure of the status. Since the other vehicles ahead were avoiding the by-pass, chickened out and drove though the town. Any brave soul tried the Uthangarai by-pass?

Did a 1 day/night trip to tvmalai yesterday. The roads are fantastic and I see a lot more tea/bakery joints opening up. This years monsoon will be a litmus test for these newly laid roads. I hope they will hold up.
Chengam bypass saves some time and its a nicely laid road too. Couldn't be more happier.
Return was today early morning start at 3AM from tvmalai. Exactly like adnaps, I tried to go via uthangarai byepass, it was pitch dark, no road markings and I chickened out. So did a few others. But one KL registered Marazzo braved ahead. He overtook me again around mathur. So yes, the byepass would have eaten up his time. Will save this road for another day.

[ampere]

I was looking over maps. I seee Gingee bypass also in the works. And surprisingly another bypass for Tindivanam. This is more the one for Thiruvannamalai NH. The one we are used to is the bypass exit when we come from Vandavasi.

[airguitar]

Drove on the Polur-Vaniyambadi route via Jamunamarathur and Alangayam after many years. Roads pretty good as always. In fact, for someone traveling from say Polur or Chetpet to Vaniyambadi-Bangalore, I would highly recommend this route. About 20 kms lesser, but perhaps 15-20 mins more than the Vellore route. It's a near-zero traffic route all along, not to mention the vistas and the small wildlife that you get to see.

I crossed the checkpost near Polur at around 5.50pm and was a lonely, beautiful drive in waning light. Made it to Vaniyambadi toll by around 7.45PM. Had this "Why did the tortoise cross the road" moment during the drive - wonderful!

[mankuthimma]

Didnt want to miss out on a chance to visit Thiruvannamalai on the way to Pondi this weekend. So did a quick stopover enroute.
While last year the roads from Krishnagiri - Chengam - Singarapettai was literally one hell of a ride due to ongoing road works, this time, it was a totally opposite, blissful drive through out. Chengam just disappeared even before we realize it. Samalpatti even though bypass is not yet complete, the concrete road under the bridge is fully done. Uthangarai and Singarapettai bypasses seems to be ready but not yet open for traffic. I still remember these towns notoriously for the bone jarring rides last year but this time I was grinning wide while passing through these same very roads. Just took ~2 hrs from Krishnagiri at a relaxed pace.
However the roads around the temple are still undergoing repairs. Had parked near Ramanashram and took an auto. Auto drivers are taking undue advantage and fleeced us for such a short ride to the temple. Temple was not crowded and we had a quick satisfying darshan of the main deities. The temple itself and the Arunachala Hills as always filled us with peace and contentment.
Had a very tasty lunch at Ananda Ramana restuarant and continued our journey onwards to Pondicherry. Didnt want to navigate through the busy roads in the town, so came back and joined the bypass towards Tindivanam road.

[cs_rajesh]

Last weekend till today I am staying at Vellore.

Yesterday my elderly parents wanted to visit the Pandurangan Temple at a village called Thennangur. A modern and privately managed temple and was surprisingly pleasure to see the temple art paintings and the main deity. This place is located 7 km away from Vandavasi on the Polur Vandavasi Road.














While driving back to Vellore from Thennangur, we cross Cheyyar and there is an age old Lord Shiva temple called Vedapureeswarar Temple. Quite well spaced mandapas and halls. Not at all crowded.



















These temples could be a stoppover for those visiting Tiruvannamalai from Bangalore.

[adisan]

Originally Posted by mankuthimma

Samalpatti even though bypass is not yet complete, the concrete road under the bridge is fully done.

You mean the road in the Samalpatti underpass has been re-laid with concrete?
Or are you referring to some section in the bypass?

[mankuthimma]

Originally Posted by adisan

You mean the road in the Samalpatti underpass has been re-laid with concrete?
Or are you referring to some section in the bypass?

No not the bypass, bypass seems like it is still under construction. Its the railway underpass within the town that I mentioned. It didnt seem like a new road, but looked neat in both the directions without any potholes or broken patches.

[adnaps]

Singarpettai bypass open now

[rajwheelz]

Originally Posted by adnaps

Singarpettai bypass open now

Last week been through the bypass unknowingly. A momentary lapse in ignoring Gmaps and following the major traffic made me realize that the bypass was open A few minutes later realized that I was on the "wrong" road and was left wondering where did the beautiful Singarapettai lake disappear? In fact saw a few cars down taking a detour because gmaps told them so. Just checked now and Gmaps still shows a broken road. I am travelling to Tiruvannamalai again this weekend. Looking forward to Uthangarai bypass.

[rajwheelz]

Visited Thiruvannamalai yesterday. A few updates:

1. Singarapettai bypass now shows up on gmaps
2. Uthangarai bypass is still not open
3. Skies opened up September 1st evening and samalpatti under-bridge was flooded with water. Only heavy trucks braved ahead. Others had to take the service road on top of the bridge and then navigate a narrow unpaved road ( can scrape low slung sedans ) and come back on the other side of the under pass.
If you are travelling during sparse traffic hours, I suggest to slow down, gauge the water level and proceed with caution. I was driving back to Bangalore today and at 5AM, there was zero traffic. Waited for a truck to pass and the waves created were enough to give me a hint . Samalpatti by-pass is not yet ready. Until then caution is advised.

[adisan]

Originally Posted by rajwheelz

3. Skies opened up September 1st evening and samalpatti under-bridge was flooded with water. Only heavy trucks braved ahead. Others had to take the service road on top of the bridge and then navigate a narrow unpaved road ( can scrape low slung sedans ) and come back on the other side of the under pass.

During the return journey, what is the option if the underpass is flooded? I remember that the service road is quite narrow, and it would be a big struggle if vehicles drive in both directions there.

[rajwheelz]

Originally Posted by adisan

During the return journey, what is the option if the underpass is flooded? I remember that the service road is quite narrow, and it would be a big struggle if vehicles drive in both directions there.

That is right. The service road is narrow. Right of way has to be negotiated with dippers and/or hand signs. The local traffic is very considerate and they understood the problem and ensured tourist vehicles were guided properly.
I am not aware of any other route if the underpass is flooded. In fact, if it wasn't was a local resident, I was contemplating a U-turn and take the singarapettai-bargur-tirupattur road.

As I said earlier, just caution is advised. Nothing to be alarmed about. The service road and the unpaved road is negotiable. We just need to be careful and take it slow to avoid scraping.

[rajwheelz]

I may be travelling to Thiruvannamalai now every weekend for a couple of weeks. I will keep updating this thread if there is anything important to be shared.
Last weekend, during my visit it wasn't raining much and samalpatti under-bridge was dry. But, I did have a heart in mouth moment at the mid section of the under bridge. The craters formed due to heavy water logging were pretty bad. You cannot gauge them during approach. Please slow down and navigate the broken roads at a slow speed.