[narayans80]

Originally Posted by shyamk

1. Take the Oragadam - singaperumal kovil route
or
2. Take the Thiruporur - Chengelpet route

ECR-Thirukazhukundram-Chengalpet is even better. Check this (Chennai - Kumbakonam : Route Queries). Once you are past Vettuvankeni, there aren't any bottlenecks on ECR when compared to OMR. These avoid entire GST (Pallavaram flyover construction, Tambaram traffic jams, Perungulathur, Vandalur diversions).

Oragadam route helps only when you are already on GST in Vandalur and want to escape all the mess till SP Koil.

[rahul_66]

Hi guys, has anyone travelled from chennai to kodaikanal in the last 2-3 weeks? Any ideas how to apply for an epass for kodai? We are planning to go on the 16th of september.

[ampere]

Originally Posted by rahul_66

Hi guys, has anyone travelled from chennai to kodaikanal in the last 2-3 weeks? Any ideas how to apply for an epass for kodai? We are planning to go on the 16th of september.

The entire route is within TN. So why is an e-Pass needed?

[rahul_66]

Originally Posted by ampere

The entire route is within TN. So why is an e-Pass needed?

To go to tourist destinations like kodaikanal, ooty, yercaud, the government requires us to apply for an epass.

[Jagann13]

Originally Posted by rahul_66

Hi guys, has anyone travelled from chennai to kodaikanal in the last 2-3 weeks? Any ideas how to apply for an epass for kodai? We are planning to go on the 16th of september.

One of my friend's family is planning the same, but a little later. From what he said, they need to procure it from the collector's office at Dindugal. They are planning to stay in Dindugal for a day, get the e-pass and move to the hills. Also from the conversation, no online way has been in operation yet. May be, we can expect an online process soon. I will definitely update if I get to know anything else. Enjoy your trip.

Originally Posted by ampere

The entire route is within TN. So why is an e-Pass needed?

Sir, actually, traveling to hill stations in the state still requires an e-pass(from the district's collector) as a part of the latest relaxation announcement. From my knowledge, it applies for Ooty, Kodaikanal, Yercaud, Yelagiri and Kolli hills.

[Sudarshan_N]

Originally Posted by rahul_66

Hi guys, has anyone travelled from chennai to kodaikanal in the last 2-3 weeks? Any ideas how to apply for an epass for kodai? We are planning to go on the 16th of september.

Hi Rahul

Did you try the TN Epass website?
Since inter-district Epass system is now cancelled in TN with the exception of hillstations, I could see that the "to" address tab in TN Epass website only has the district headquarters of different Hill Stations listed in it and all other districts are not present anymore.

So, you will have to apply an Epass stating your reason and it will then be sent for collector's approval, similar to the Epass system that existed earlier.

[Vin76]

We have a trip to Kodaikanal coming soon. Has anyone travelled from Chennai to Kodai, very recently. Wanted to know the road conditions, especially after the recent rains.

[swiftdiesel]

Originally Posted by Vin76

We have a trip to Kodaikanal coming soon. Has anyone travelled from Chennai to Kodai, very recently. Wanted to know the road conditions, especially after the recent rains.

I was there when cyclone happened in Chennai and was there for a full week after the cyclone. The roads are excellent and no problems anywhere. A great time to visit as the hill station is almost empty of tourists. Just remember to get the e-registration copy done for the dates you travel. The police check this copy at the checkpost at the foothills of Kodaikanal.

[concorde24]

Originally Posted by Vin76

We have a trip to Kodaikanal coming soon. Has anyone travelled from Chennai to Kodai, very recently. Wanted to know the road conditions, especially after the recent rains.

I travelled from Madurai-Chennai route, after the cyclones. The route to Kodai should be common till Trichy, then you branch off till Kodai Road. Chennai-Trichy Road is good, but Chengalpet->Thindivanam stretch has got potholes on both sides. I did not notice so many potholes while travelling in October, but it has come up recently.

Apart from this, road is as good as ever! Have a nice Trip.

[zwift1819]

Hi all. After a long time getting this thread revived. Anyone here recently did a trip to Kodai this month? Hope it’s not crowded thanks to the summer holidays. Had last visited in April 2019 and route taken was chennai - trichy- Dindigul - Kodai. We didn’t find great eateries along this route.
Breakfast was at 85kms from chennai in Murugan idly and roads were decent back then.
Planning on a trip in next 10 days with my 160k kms clocked innova type 2 model. If anyone has travelled recently do update.

[narayans80]

Originally Posted by zwift1819

Hope it’s not crowded thanks to the summer holidays.

Anything on a hill (including Yelagiri) will be crowded during summer holidays. Weekends will mean, you'll deal with more traffic than Madras.

We didn’t find great eateries along this route.

There are some dull sections like Paranur to Bukkathurai, Sengurichi to Perambalur, Villupuram bypass end to Sengurichi A2B where options are limitedd. Otherwise there are so much choices for veg. If you are looking for non-veg, you have to plan and most likely you'll have to enter some enroute town.

[SAPVEN]

Originally Posted by zwift1819

Anyone here recently did a trip to Kodai this month? Hope it’s not crowded thanks to the summer holidays.

Just returned after 3 nights in Kodai (Fri /Sat/Sun ) . Since I started from Bangalore, cannot comment on the journey upto Dindigul.

We took the Dindigul bypass and went upto Kodai via Vatlagundu . Thalapakatti in Dindigul and Vatlagundu are recommended for food. For pure veg food Eden Garden(just out of Vatlagundu) is good.

Roads are very good and the clogging was only at the entry Toll just outside Kodai town (it was minor on Fri, but be prepared for a wait of at least 20-30 minutes, if you are crossing on a weekend).

While returning, I took the Palani road, which was simply superb , with great scenic views, smooth road and hardly any traffic (of course we travelled on Monday).