[rbg]

Originally Posted by FURY_44

I will be riding to Ooty from Bangalore on the 1st of January, I have an epass for Kakanallah, but seeing some of the posts above, is it better off to take the longer route via Hosur - Salem - Avinashi - Ooty?

I am riding my bike, does this make any difference at the Mudhumalai check post if there's a long line of cars?

Being on two wheeler I guess you can filter through and cut down on the waiting time. I still suggest taking the routine route and try to make it till the checkpoint before noon. I did not see a single swab test when I was witnessing the e-pass verification by the TN police. 24th December was a long weekend and perhaps that could be the reason why the queue was so long. On your travel date 1st Jan hopefully I don't expect much folks to be crossing the border. Make sure you reach the checkpost before 11-12pm should be ok.
Plenty of deers spotting and monkeys sleeping in middle of road watch out.

Safe drive brother.

[FURY_44]

Originally Posted by rbg

Being on two wheeler I guess you can filter through and cut down on the waiting time. I still suggest taking the routine route and try to make it till the checkpoint before noon.

Thank you, the epass site doesn't have two wheeler as an option, so I have chosen car and mentioned number of travelers as one, is this ok?

[rbg]

Originally Posted by FURY_44

Thank you, the epass site doesn't have two wheeler as an option, so I have chosen car and mentioned number of travelers as one, is this ok?

Surprised. I just check the website https://eregister.tnega.org/#/app/wizard
The bike option is available (last option in the drop-down)
Please check carefully. Don't give the police reason to harass you at the checkpost. Take color printout. Keep your ID card handy. There will be a guy wearing a straw hat and jeans who will collect a green tax of 30 Rupees hence keep exact change also ready.
You will be alright. All the best!

[gadadhar]

There was no Covid test when we crossed on 25th Dec around 9.30 am. They did not even verify the epass and made any register entries, I had stuck a color printout on the windshield and that would have helped. There was a small queue and 10 mts delay, probable due to the 30 Rs green pass fee collection and the narrow bridge

[FURY_44]

Originally Posted by rbg

There will be a guy wearing a straw hat and jeans who will collect a green tax of 30 Rupees hence keep exact change also ready.
You will be alright. All the best!

So I completed my trip between Jan 1st & 3rd, reached Mudhumalai check post at around 11:00 AM on Jan 1st, met the guy with the straw hat, took 10 Rs from me since I was on a bike, there wasn't a big line as such, anyway I overtook all the cars in the line, mandatory entry of the epass number before I could go any further.

A KSRTC was halted just ahead of me and two lucky guys were chosen for random Covid19 tests and let off quickly, I guess this how they choose people

[Ash_vtec]

Hi Guys, just a quick query on road condition on the gudalur descent ? Was pretty terrible the last time I was there in 2018, has there been any improvement ?

[FlashMustang]

Originally Posted by Ash_vtec

Hi Guys, just a quick query on road condition on the gudalur descent ? Was pretty terrible the last time I was there in 2018, has there been any improvement ?

I drove along the Gudalur route on both the onward and the return trip in late October/early November of 2020.
The road was mostly good to drive on (definitely not terrible), maybe a slightly broken tarmac here and there once in a while and a few spots where road repairs were being undertaken.
It was a smooth drive for the most part.
Hope this helps.
Cheers and have a wonderful trip!

[Ash_vtec]

Originally Posted by FlashMustang

I drove along the Gudalur route on both the onward and the return trip in late October/early November of 2020.
The road was mostly good to drive on (definitely not terrible), maybe a slightly broken tarmac here and there once in a while and a few spots where road repairs were being undertaken.
It was a smooth drive for the most part.
Hope this helps.
Cheers and have a wonderful trip!

Thanks a lot Flash, appreciate it. It is the more scenic route compared to Segur Ghat, and any which way the TN govt doesn't allow non TN 43 cars back down the same route.

[kit_dennis]

An update on the E-pass.
We were crossing Bandipur Madhumalai Stretch on the way to Kerala. At TN checkpost we were asked for E-pass, we had not taken and he asked for 'small money' to let us through. We paid 200/-. He says E-pass is necessary for Nilgiris district even if you are just passing through.
And there were another set of gentlemen waiting near the bridge where you turn to Ooty.

[Ash_vtec]

Update on BLR-Mysore-Ooty route as of Feb 2021

*Road surface is great onward, despite road works and white-topping. Average speed is a little lower due to constant lane detours due to work but otherwise its smooth.

*Faster to cut thru Mysore than use ring road due to poor road surface.

*No E-pass needed but registration is mandatory where they just check at the border and ask for the usual ₹ 30/- to enter the reserve.

*Return as per usual, Non TN 43 vehicles not allowed down via Segur, so mandatory Gudalur descent which is scenic but adds 45-50min travel time. Road surface is good for 80% of descent, some bits quite rough. Low slung vehicles can cope with little care. C-SUV and upwards, no stress.

[NPV]

Couple of queries for a potential visit:
1.Is TN e-pass required if one is just going till Theppakadu for a morning safari at Mudumalai and returning to Karnataka just after ?

2.Any recommended places for lunch at Gundlupet ? I know 3 places already from earlier visits - DeShell restaurant (in Misty Rock Hotel campus), Coffee Day, Nijaguna, any others ? I haven't traveled that side in 3 years.

[jkrishnakj]

Hi NPV

1. No pass required. You can cross over at will.

2. You can try the lunch at JLR- Bandipur. I haven’t seen anything new come up that side.

[ampere]

Originally Posted by NPV

2.Any recommended places for lunch at Gundlupet ? I know 3 places already from earlier visits - DeShell restaurant (in Misty Rock Hotel campus), Coffee Day, Nijaguna, any others ? I haven't traveled that side in 3 years.

Best would be to carry one's own food and coffee/tea/water in these times. Most of the hotels seem to be very crowded.

[NPV]

Thanks for your responses.

Originally Posted by jkrishnakj

1. No pass required. You can cross over at will.

Going by previous posts, I think one needs to do the e-registration to avoid any possible harassment by the guys manning the checkpost ? Did you travel recently ?

Originally Posted by ampere

Best would be to carry one's own food and coffee/tea/water in these times. Most of the hotels seem to be very crowded.

True, just wanted to be aware of any (newer) options in case needed.

[arun_josie]

Originally Posted by NPV

Going by previous posts, I think one needs to do the e-registration to avoid any possible harassment by the guys manning the checkpost ? Did you travel recently ?

If required you can do the e-registration on the spot as well, provided you have network coverage. I think recently you crossed TN border via hosur, its the same process.