[RoadTripper]

Originally Posted by RJ555

not sure on the direct stretch from GQ to kodai road, ideal should be trichy - dindugal bypass and kodai road, did this road last month, 4 laning almost over.

Hi RF J555 and folks

Here's an update and if I dare say, suggestion:

From Kodaikanal, drive past Batlagundu and instead of taking the left at the "T" junction after the Batlagundu junction, head straight towards Kodai Road railway station. Once you go past the station (within 1.5 km), you will join a 4 lane road which is basically Madurai- Dindigul- Manapparai - Trichy. There is a toll plaza at the point that connects the SH from Kodai Rd station to this 4 lane highway.

Awesome stretch and given the work happening between Dindigul and Batlagundu, this is a much better option.

If you're traveling from Madras to Kodaikanal, this route will save you about 30 min and give you a better drive. It is easy to spot the diversion to Kodai Rd (2nd toll plaza after you exit Trichy)

Cheers

Road Tripper

[RoadTripper]

Originally Posted by ampere

To avoid Krishnagiri-Bangalore section you can also try :

Dharmapuri-Palacode-Rayakottai-Kelamangalam-Attebele (on NH7 before electronic city)
Route Link

Thanks again Ampere. I stuck to the regular approach. However, wanted to know about the road quality in the stretch you'd recommended and the time it could help me save (the next time).

Cheers

Road Tripper

[ampere]

Originally Posted by RoadTripper

Thanks again Ampere. I stuck to the regular approach. However, wanted to know about the road quality in the stretch you'd recommended and the time it could help me save (the next time).

As I hear the 6 laning continues and is nearing completion. So barring for traffic and tolls, roads and diversions per se should not be a problem on the main 4-lane.
This alternate route goes through villages and hence you may not be able to zip through. But you can I think maintain speeds like 60-80 constantly. There is absolutely very little traffic and also this is a scenic route. So what it mainly helps is avoid the bulk traffic and crossing Hosur/Krishnagiri.

I suspect you may not save much time, but more importantly it may be a hassle free drive. Again since I have myself not done it end to end, cannot say that conclusively.

[narayans80]

Originally Posted by ranjitp1

In January there were still patches with no roads in between.No markings done yet.Same is the case between Vathalakundu and the turn off to Kodai,wide road and suddenly you come up on a mud section.

If its that unpredictable, it is worth going via Palani. Dindigul-Palani is a dream run (except for 5 broken rail crossings) its a wide 2-lane with shoulders. Palani-Kodai is pretty good, less trafficked compared to Vathalagundu route. Going via Palani will add about 15 km more.

[ranjitp1]

Originally Posted by narayans80

If its that unpredictable, it is worth going via Palani. Dindigul-Palani is a dream run (except for 5 broken rail crossings) its a wide 2-lane with shoulders. Palani-Kodai is pretty good, less trafficked compared to Vathalagundu route. Going via Palani will add about 15 km more.

But I found the Palani-Kodai ghat sections to be broken and quite rough at many sections as opposed to the vatalakundu route where the road surface is/was excellent

[swiftdiesel]

Was at Theni last week. Dindugul-Bathlagundu stretch still being laid, so best avoided. Anyone wanting to reach Dindigul from Kodaikanal, the best route is Kodai-Bathlagundu ( continue going straight at that intersection)-Kodai Road-Dindigul. Periyakulam - Bathlagundu stretch is complete and the roads are excellent. The turn to Kodai is unmarked, so those going to Kodai, watch out for the right turn (adjacent to an Indian Oil petrol station).

[RoadTripper]

Originally Posted by swiftdiesel

Was at Theni last week. Dindugul-Bathlagundu stretch still being laid, so best avoided. Anyone wanting to reach Dindigul from Kodaikanal, the best route is Kodai-Bathlagundu ( continue going straight at that intersection)-Kodai Road-Dindigul. Periyakulam - Bathlagundu stretch is complete and the roads are excellent. The turn to Kodai is unmarked, so those going to Kodai, watch out for the right turn (adjacent to an Indian Oil petrol station).

Hi All
I may be heading to Kodaikanal this weekend.
Wanted to check on the following:
1. Is the Trichy outskirts part of the highway to Dindigul via Manapparai done?
2. In March, I took the Dindigul Batlagundu SH. It was still WIP and 3-4 stretches were bad. On the way back I took Kodai Rd and joined the 4 lane highway after Kodai Rd back to Trichy (via Dindigul and Manapparai).
3. The ghat road was in poor condition after the first 5-6 km until a few km leading to Oothu (fruit town). Any updates on th

[RoadTripper]

Originally Posted by swiftdiesel

Was at Theni last week. Dindugul-Bathlagundu stretch still being laid, so best avoided. Anyone wanting to reach Dindigul from Kodaikanal, the best route is Kodai-Bathlagundu ( continue going straight at that intersection)-Kodai Road-Dindigul. Periyakulam - Bathlagundu stretch is complete and the roads are excellent. The turn to Kodai is unmarked, so those going to Kodai, watch out for the right turn (adjacent to an Indian Oil petrol station).

Hi All
I may be heading to Kodaikanal this weekend.
Wanted to check on the following:
1. Is the Trichy outskirts part of the highway to Dindigul via Manapparai done?
2. In March, I took the Dindigul Batlagundu SH. It was still WIP and 3-4 stretches were bad. On the way back I took Kodai Rd and joined the 4 lane highway after Kodai Rd back to Trichy (via Dindigul and Manapparai).
3. The ghat road was in poor condition after the first 5-6 km until a few km leading to Oothu (fruit town). Any updates on the condition now?
4. Advice/ updates on the Tambaram-Trichy NH stretch.

Please share your inputs. Thanks a bunch.

Cheers
Road Tripper

[sukkur]

Originally Posted by RoadTripper

Hi All
I may be heading to Kodaikanal this weekend.
Wanted to check on the following:
1. Is the Trichy outskirts part of the highway to Dindigul via Manapparai done?
2. In March, I took the Dindigul Batlagundu SH. It was still WIP and 3-4 stretches were bad. On the way back I took Kodai Rd and joined the 4 lane highway after Kodai Rd back to Trichy (via Dindigul and Manapparai).
3. The ghat road was in poor condition after the first 5-6 km until a few km leading to Oothu (fruit town). Any updates on the condition now?
4. Advice/ updates on the Tambaram-Trichy NH stretch.

Please share your inputs. Thanks a bunch.

Cheers
Road Tripper

Hi Road Tripper/ All,

Planning a trip to Kodai this weekend. Any update on the road conditions from your last trip. Of the two routes "Dindigul Batlagundu SH" and Kodai Rd -4 lane highway , which was better.

Please share,
Thanks,

Santosh

[RoadTripper]

Originally Posted by sukkur

Hi Road Tripper/ All,

Planning a trip to Kodai this weekend. Any update on the road conditions from your last trip. Of the two routes "Dindigul Batlagundu SH" and Kodai Rd -4 lane highway , which was better.

Please share,
Thanks,

Santosh

Hi Santosh
Not sure if this update is useful now. I would suggest that you continue past Dindigul on the 4 lane highway and get off at Kodai road. I prefer this to the Dindigul-Batlagundu route, found this faster and less traffic. The road from Kodai Rd to Kodaikanal is in good condition, just watch out for a couple of patches and small deviations from the carriageway.

Cheers
Road Tripper

[ampere]

Originally Posted by RoadTripper

Hi Santosh
Not sure if this update is useful now. I would suggest that you continue past Dindigul on the 4 lane highway and get off at Kodai road. I prefer this to the Dindigul-Batlagundu route, found this faster and less traffic. The road from Kodai Rd to Kodaikanal is in good condition, just watch out for a couple of patches and small deviations from the carriageway.

Is Dindigul-Batlagundu a 4-lane? I thought its wide 2-lane. Can you confirm this ?

[luvurride]

Originally Posted by ampere

Is Dindigul-Batlagundu a 4-lane? I thought its wide 2-lane. Can you confirm this ?

I think he is referring to continue with the 4-lane from Dindigul and get off at Kodai Road to join back at Batlagundu - as mentioned by @RoadTripper some posts above.

[ampere]

Originally Posted by luvurride

I think he is referring to continue with the 4-lane from Dindigul and get off at Kodai Road to join back at Batlagundu - as mentioned by @RoadTripper some posts above.

Sorry. Missed it. Its the 4-lane indeed. But I think now that the road is good, one may not not that detour.

[RoadTripper]

Originally Posted by ampere

Sorry. Missed it. Its the 4-lane indeed. But I think now that the road is good, one may not not that detour.

Hi Ampere

I agree continuing on the 4 lane stretch is definitely longer from a distance point of view. However, by exiting off Kodai Rd Toll Plaza after Dindigul, the advantage is that you cover more distance faster and you get to delay the inevitable a bit (SH driving).

[ampere]

Originally Posted by RoadTripper

Hi Ampere

I agree continuing on the 4 lane stretch is definitely longer from a distance point of view. However, by exiting off Kodai Rd Toll Plaza after Dindigul, the advantage is that you cover more distance faster and you get to delay the inevitable a bit (SH driving).

I think its a wide 2-lane. And its a NH45 and not SH. Though I have not driven recently, so I cant comment on how heavy is the traffic.
Of course as you said the 4-lane option is quite smooth too.