Bangalore - Kodaikanal - Munnar : Route Queries

bijuks · 24th March 2009, 19:33

An update from another thread (Bangalore to Trichy - Route Condition ) on road condition between Salem and Namakkal

Quote:

Originally Posted by subbusos

I took just 45 minutes to 1 hour. Yes, you could do constant speeds at some stretches except for the places where there are diversions, fly over construction work going on at Rasipuram junctions. One or two villages are yet to get bye-passes (work under progress) and there you need to join the single lane again. Better to be very careful on this stretch as both the lanes are used for both side traffic as of now, since there are no clear directions mentioned. Hence vechicles plying on both the sides that too both the sides are two - way. That is its like two parallel single lane roads.

bijuks · 29th March 2009, 22:13

I traveled till Munnar from Bangalore in through the Mettur-Dharapuram-udumalPettai route this week. The road till Dharapuram is in good condition and the timings mentioned above stands good (with a 30 mins break) till Dharapuram.

I enquired at Dharapuram and the feedback is that the road till Palani also is in good shape now.

So, Kodai - in this route would be possible in 9-10Hrs comfortably.

fi.robin · 1st April 2009, 19:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by bijuks

I traveled till Munnar from Bangalore in through the Mettur-Dharapuram-udumalPettai route this week.
--------------
So, Kodai - in this route would be possible in 9-10Hrs comfortably.

Great! I am planning a trip to Kodaikanal on 7th April. I prefer the 4 laned roads but will try this.

Good report Guys

kpkuruvilla · 2nd April 2009, 12:57

Have you tried this route ? please tell yr experience with this route

csentil · 2nd April 2009, 18:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by kpkuruvilla

Have you tried this route ? please tell yr experience with this route

Which route, buddy? There are a few optons to go to Kodaikanal. I suggest you read the previous posts. They have been updated within the last 1 week. All the information that you would need is present in the previous posts. After that if you have a specific query I'm sure everyone will be glad to answer.

pulsar56 · 3rd April 2009, 17:27

Slightly OT:

Searched everywhere but could not find any information on this route.

Is the four-laning from Salem to Sankari completed or is it still going on?

ravibhat · 4th April 2009, 15:54

I am just back from Blre - Kodai - munnar - bangalore. Vehicle : Maruti Alto.

Road update: Vijayanagar - Bangalore - mysore road - NICE road (entire stretch is in good condition even connecting roads around bannergatta road) all the way till hosur road - krishnagiri - dharmapuri - thoppur = 170km excellant 4 lane road. Travel time 4 hrs with 45 min break.

MapmyIndia - maps, directions, and local search across India - just search, print and go! in mapmyindia they added NICE road route recently i feel.

Thoppur - mettur - bhavani = 70km excellant 2 lane road, Travel time 90min. with 15 min break.

Then lunch break of 45min.

Bhavani - Perundurai NH47 = 20km 4 lane road, 99% completed. Travel time 15 min.

Perundurai - kangayam - dharapuram - palani = 100km very good 2 lane road, Travel time 2 hrs with 20 min break.

Palani - Kodaikanal = 65km, Travel time 3 hrs with 90 min multiple breaks.

So bangalore - kodai = 430km aprox. with almost 12 hrs. with 3 hrs 30min break.

Kodaikanal - (bit of patchy roads) - Theni - bodynayakanoor = 100km. travel time 3 hrs with 45min multiple break.

Direct road to munnar was blocked in day time so we took alternate route (thanks to TBHPians who guided me)

bodynayakanoor - Kumbam - KumbaMettu - shantapara - poopara - chinnakanal - Munnar = 150km, travel time 4:30 hrs. with 1 hr break.

munnar - Marayoor - Udumlupet = 85km , 3 hrs with 45min break. only bit of patchy road. rest all places even though SH roads they are better than Karnataka national highway quality.

Udumlupet - dharapuram = 37km, travel time 30min.

From Dharapuram to Bangalore its same route that we took while going to kodai and we left dharapuram at 8:15am and reached bangalore home by 4pm with lot of break including 1 hr. buffet lunch at renaissance, hosur.

Munnar - Bangalore = aprox. 450km, travel time 12hrs. with 3 hrs break.

50% Ac used, normal Tamil nadu fuel all the way, FE 19.7kmpl, total distance travelled: 1300km including 300km ghat roads.

In thoppur ghat I met Innova with family, he said lot of diversions between thoppur and towards salem - dindgul so on.. in 4 lane work and its not completed yet.

Ravi.

PS sorry for any TYPO.

akroy · 4th April 2009, 16:14

Ravi, Thats a wonderful update of road conditions. Nice to know the Palani route is fast as well and all the 2 laners are in good condition.

Where is your travelogue buddy? This trip calls for one isnt it?

Abhi

nevertouchme · 4th April 2009, 17:33

Ravi- awesome! Thanks for the detailed road info.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ravibhat

Palani - Kodaikanal = 65km, Travel time 3 hrs with 90 min multiple breaks.

Well- can you tell me the road condition of this stretch?

ravibhat · 4th April 2009, 18:17

Excellant road between Palani - Kodai too, we took lot of photos and stopped in many many places so it took 3 hours.

Patchy roads I travelled in Tamil nadu and Kerala are better than good roads of Karnataka

Man I pray/wish If party rules in centre and Karnataka so we get better funds at least this time for better infrastructure.

I heard in 14 months from now, roads will be in much better shape in Karnataka. Lets wait and watch. Already I can see in Karnataka lot of improvement in roads from last 6 months.

Ravi.

ajmat · 4th April 2009, 19:18

Thanks, that means a planned route change for me

hondadude · 4th April 2009, 22:17

Thanks Ravi for the update. If all goes well, I am heading to Kodai next weekend and this information is really useful.

bijuks · 4th April 2009, 22:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by ravibhat

Kodaikanal - (bit of patchy roads) - Theni - bodynayakanoor = 100km. travel time 3 hrs with 45min multiple break.

Direct road to munnar was blocked in day time so we took alternate route (thanks to TBHPians who guided me)

Who gave you this information that Bodinaykannur - Pooppara road is blocked? It is in excellent condition now and open for traffic. I travelled through that road in last week end (29th Mar).

At some patches, the road tarring work is going on - but one lane is open and i think the work will get over in couple of weeks.

If you take this route, bodinaykannur to Munnar would be 66Kms and travel time would be 2.5 to 3 Hrs with some good breaks (to take snaps - route is very scenic).

Vid6639 · 7th April 2009, 12:16

Update from Ajmat on the Bangy-Kodai route.

The roads are good despite diversions. He did the entire trip in 7.5 hours without pushing the car except for the hill climb. lol.

There was minimal traffic and he went via Salem Karur route.

ravibhat · 7th April 2009, 14:50

I travelled on April 1st (it was not April fool as road work was in full swing) from Kodaikanal to Munnar via theni-bodynayakanur, unfortunately on that day road was blocked for repair. I waited there for 1 hour to see If I can get permission since checkpost Police said small cars can pass by but they are not allowing traffic. We (group of 2-3 cars) thought of getting permission during lunch time but it didn't work. Kerala tourist bus also came back and took alternate route. So we head back to bodynayakanur and had lunch in Rajbhavan hotel and proceeded via Kambam which is 70+km extra with good roads.

So its good that via Karur also road is good.

Regards,

Ravi.

29th March 2009, 22:13	#77
bijuks BHPian Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Bangalore Posts: 215 Thanked: 109 Times	I traveled till Munnar from Bangalore in through the Mettur-Dharapuram-udumalPettai route this week. The road till Dharapuram is in good condition and the timings mentioned above stands good (with a 30 mins break) till Dharapuram. I enquired at Dharapuram and the feedback is that the road till Palani also is in good shape now. So, Kodai - in this route would be possible in 9-10Hrs comfortably.
	() Thanks

2nd April 2009, 12:57	#79
kpkuruvilla Newbie Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Bangalroe Posts: 3 Thanked: 0 Times	Blr to kodai Have you tried this route ? please tell yr experience with this route
	() Thanks

3rd April 2009, 17:27	#81
pulsar56 Senior - BHPian Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Sydney Posts: 1,172 Thanked: 342 Times View My Garage	NH47 Query! Slightly OT: Searched everywhere but could not find any information on this route. Is the four-laning from Salem to Sankari completed or is it still going on?
	() Thanks

4th April 2009, 15:54	#82
ravibhat Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Bangalore Posts: 2,256 Thanked: 37 Times View My Garage	I am just back from Blre - Kodai - munnar - bangalore. Vehicle : Maruti Alto. Road update: Vijayanagar - Bangalore - mysore road - NICE road (entire stretch is in good condition even connecting roads around bannergatta road) all the way till hosur road - krishnagiri - dharmapuri - thoppur = 170km excellant 4 lane road. Travel time 4 hrs with 45 min break. MapmyIndia - maps, directions, and local search across India - just search, print and go! in mapmyindia they added NICE road route recently i feel. Thoppur - mettur - bhavani = 70km excellant 2 lane road, Travel time 90min. with 15 min break. Then lunch break of 45min. Bhavani - Perundurai NH47 = 20km 4 lane road, 99% completed. Travel time 15 min. Perundurai - kangayam - dharapuram - palani = 100km very good 2 lane road, Travel time 2 hrs with 20 min break. Palani - Kodaikanal = 65km, Travel time 3 hrs with 90 min multiple breaks. So bangalore - kodai = 430km aprox. with almost 12 hrs. with 3 hrs 30min break. Kodaikanal - (bit of patchy roads) - Theni - bodynayakanoor = 100km. travel time 3 hrs with 45min multiple break. Direct road to munnar was blocked in day time so we took alternate route (thanks to TBHPians who guided me) bodynayakanoor - Kumbam - KumbaMettu - shantapara - poopara - chinnakanal - Munnar = 150km, travel time 4:30 hrs. with 1 hr break. munnar - Marayoor - Udumlupet = 85km , 3 hrs with 45min break. only bit of patchy road. rest all places even though SH roads they are better than Karnataka national highway quality. Udumlupet - dharapuram = 37km, travel time 30min. From Dharapuram to Bangalore its same route that we took while going to kodai and we left dharapuram at 8:15am and reached bangalore home by 4pm with lot of break including 1 hr. buffet lunch at renaissance, hosur. Munnar - Bangalore = aprox. 450km, travel time 12hrs. with 3 hrs break. 50% Ac used, normal Tamil nadu fuel all the way, FE 19.7kmpl, total distance travelled: 1300km including 300km ghat roads. In thoppur ghat I met Innova with family, he said lot of diversions between thoppur and towards salem - dindgul so on.. in 4 lane work and its not completed yet. Ravi. PS sorry for any TYPO. Last edited by ravibhat : 4th April 2009 at 16:03.
	() Thanks

4th April 2009, 16:14	#83
akroy Senior - BHPian Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: San Francisco, CA, USA Posts: 2,423 Thanked: 85 Times View My Garage	Ravi, Thats a wonderful update of road conditions. Nice to know the Palani route is fast as well and all the 2 laners are in good condition. Where is your travelogue buddy? This trip calls for one isnt it? Abhi
	() Thanks

4th April 2009, 18:17	#85
ravibhat Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Bangalore Posts: 2,256 Thanked: 37 Times View My Garage	Excellant road between Palani - Kodai too, we took lot of photos and stopped in many many places so it took 3 hours. Patchy roads I travelled in Tamil nadu and Kerala are better than good roads of Karnataka Man I pray/wish If party rules in centre and Karnataka so we get better funds at least this time for better infrastructure. I heard in 14 months from now, roads will be in much better shape in Karnataka. Lets wait and watch. Already I can see in Karnataka lot of improvement in roads from last 6 months. Ravi.
	() Thanks

4th April 2009, 19:18	#86
ajmat Team-BHP Support Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Bangalore Posts: 14,860 Thanked: 27,949 Times View My Garage	Thanks, that means a planned route change for me
	() Thanks

4th April 2009, 22:17	#87
hondadude Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Bangalore Posts: 1,044 Thanked: 69 Times	Thanks Ravi for the update. If all goes well, I am heading to Kodai next weekend and this information is really useful.
	() Thanks

7th April 2009, 12:16	#89
Vid6639 Team-BHP Support Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Bangalore Posts: 17,728 Thanked: 43,463 Times View My Garage	Update from Ajmat on the Bangy-Kodai route. The roads are good despite diversions. He did the entire trip in 7.5 hours without pushing the car except for the hill climb. lol. There was minimal traffic and he went via Salem Karur route.
	() Thanks

7th April 2009, 14:50	#90
ravibhat Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Bangalore Posts: 2,256 Thanked: 37 Times View My Garage	I travelled on April 1st (it was not April fool as road work was in full swing) from Kodaikanal to Munnar via theni-bodynayakanur, unfortunately on that day road was blocked for repair. I waited there for 1 hour to see If I can get permission since checkpost Police said small cars can pass by but they are not allowing traffic. We (group of 2-3 cars) thought of getting permission during lunch time but it didn't work. Kerala tourist bus also came back and took alternate route. So we head back to bodynayakanur and had lunch in Rajbhavan hotel and proceeded via Kambam which is 70+km extra with good roads. So its good that via Karur also road is good. Regards, Ravi.
	() Thanks