[ravib]

Last friday I drove to chennai via Chittoor from C.V.Raman Nagar, Bangalore.

Overall it took 5 hours with 20 mts break at Nandi plaza (just before chittoor and after Bangarupalayam). Roads are quite good, except for small stretches here & there, between Mulbagal to Palamaner. Otherwise, no big complaints at all.
The greatest advantage is , i just paid Rs. 55/- as toll
But in terms of driving, the stretch between Mulbagal to Chittoor needs very high attention compared to GQ route mainly because it is completely 2 lane. No comfort territory like in GQ.

In current road conditions of GQ and also increased toll since Apr 1st 2012, i certainly think B'lore-Chittoor-Madras is better option than GQ. Just that you need to be more attentive driver in 2 lanes, thats all.

-Ravi

[Torqy]

URGENT Info required:
---------------------
What's the status of Bangalore - Chittoor - Chennai ?
Is the 4-lane work complete for the entire route?

Thanks,

-- Torqy

[ravib]

Originally Posted by Torqy

URGENT Info required:
---------------------
What's the status of Bangalore - Chittoor - Chennai ?
Is the 4-lane work complete for the entire route?

Thanks,

-- Torqy

No, its not a full 4L route. Only GQ via Hosur-Krishnagiri is a 100% 4L route.

From KR Puram to Mulbagal and from Ranipet to Madras are 4L roads in this route. From Mulbagal-Palamner-Chittoor-Ranipet, just 2 lane.

-Ravi

[naut]

Originally Posted by ravib

Last friday I drove to chennai via Chittoor from C.V.Raman Nagar, Bangalore.

In current road conditions of GQ and also increased toll since Apr 1st 2012, i certainly think B'lore-Chittoor-Madras is better option than GQ. Just that you need to be more attentive driver in 2 lanes, thats all.

-Ravi

Originally Posted by ravib

No, its not a full 4L route. Only GQ via Hosur-Krishnagiri is a 100% 4L route.

From KR Puram to Mulbagal and from Ranipet to Madras are 4L roads in this route. From Mulbagal-Palamner-Chittoor-Ranipet, just 2 lane.

-Ravi

Hey Ravi,

I am planning to take the same route (BLR-Kolar-Mulbagal-Chittoor-Ranipet-Chennai) to Chennai & back for a trip in first week of September. Will be traveling with family (Wifey, Kiddo, elders etc). Can you kindly suggest decent places to freshen up along the way?

I am looking for good hotels in and around these locations.

Kolar
Mulbagal
Chittoor
Ranipet (or nearby)

I am looking for places of the types of CCD or Kamat or A1 Plaza or equivalent. Inputs would be highly appreciated.

Regards,
Abhi

[NPV]

Originally Posted by abhi.kedlaya

I am planning to take the same route (BLR-Kolar-Mulbagal-Chittoor-Ranipet-Chennai) to Chennai & back for a trip in first week of September. Will be traveling with family (Wifey, Kiddo, elders etc). Can you kindly suggest decent places to freshen up along the way?

I am looking for good hotels in and around these locations.

Kolar
Mulbagal
Chittoor
Ranipet (or nearby)

I am looking for places of the types of CCD or Kamat or A1 Plaza or equivalent. Inputs would be highly appreciated.

You can refer this one for food stops on the Bangalore - Chittoor route.
here
Also, that thread has lot of recent posts regarding route, road conditions, etc.
Hope this helps.

[naut]

Guys,

What is the state of the pallikonda-> gudiyattam -> v.kote -> kolar route currently? Has anyone been through this route recently?
How long is the ghat section on this stretch? How long does it take to cover this entire stretch?

Regards,
Abhi

[Blue Thunder]

I am planning to take the Chittoor route to Bangalore and back this week/weekend. Any updates on the current condition of the road?

I guess the Ranipet-Mulbagal remains 2-lane, while the rest is 4-laned.

Hope there will be no issues due to the Cauvery-water dispute.

[reignofchaos]

The road is good other than a few so so stretches just before mulbagal. Even those are completely doable.

[aneezan]

I too plan to take this route this weekend. I have always used the Krishnagiri 4 lane till now to Chennai.
Hope I manage the 2 way 120 KM stretch this time.

[shyamk]

Originally Posted by abhi.kedlaya

Guys,

What is the state of the pallikonda-> gudiyattam -> v.kote -> kolar route currently? Has anyone been through this route recently?
How long is the ghat section on this stretch? How long does it take to cover this entire stretch?

Regards,
Abhi

I would not recommend this route. The road after v.kote is pretty bad. In addition, if you do not have a vehicle with high clearance, for about 25 or so km after the ghats, due to narrow roads, you may have to move over the shoulder to avoid oncoming buses, and the stones there may scrape the under body of the car.

You are better off using Pallokonda - Gudiyatham - Mulbagal route itself.

Shyam

[rpads1]

Originally Posted by aneezan

I too plan to take this route this weekend. I have always used the Krishnagiri 4 lane till now to Chennai.
Hope I manage the 2 way 120 KM stretch this time.

You'll love the drive. I've been driving mostly on the GQ earlier and now switched to the mulbagal-chitoor-ranipet route and its great. The two laner is no issue, as traffic is fairly low and roads are pretty smooth. Just beware of some AP state buses, if they are overtaking form the oncoming side, they normally dont budge and should not be an issue provided you slow down a bit to let them complete their overtake.

[tht'snotME]

if you are driving in the bangalore - chittor- chennai in the day time.i think it not only the AP State buses, you should be very careful when you spot a bike with a local hero doing a insane speed or the bike which is trying to cross the highway from exact place where you dont expect.

[rpads1]

Just drove down and back this weekend. 20kms on the Mulbagal to Palamner stretch on the Mulbagal side is pretty bad, though doable . Unfortunately on the way back became dark and had to slow down to 40-50kms to avoid pot-holes , dont want to get stuck with a bad tyre , with family, in the dark. Avoid the mentioned stretch during dark and otherwise the drive is just fine .

[ampere]

Which is a better option to latch on to Chitoor road while driving from Chennai.
Is it better to go into Wallajah or take the GQ and take the Ranipet exit?

This is what I thought should be good :


Route Link

What do most prefer?

[rameshnanda]

Originally Posted by ampere

Which is a better option to latch on to Chitoor road while driving from Chennai.
Is it better to go into Wallajah or take the GQ and take the Ranipet exit?

This is what I thought should be good :


Route Link

What do most prefer?

The route given by you is better. But, when I last travelled, I was not able to take the right turn because of the 6 laning work going on currently. I had to go some more distance and come back after taking an U-Turn on the GQ.