[mahesh_sn]

Originally Posted by Gannu_1

Went via Mumbra last time. I am not taking that chance anymore! Will go via Airoli - Navi Mumbai - Panvel-Sion Expressway - Mumbai-Pune Expressway.

Beware of newly opened Kamothe toll on the Sion-Panvel Expressway. It is already notorious for having long queues of vehicles waiting to pay toll. You might want to take the old NH4 from Mumbra. Mind you this road will have truck traffic, has a toll booth and you might take same or more time to reach Mumbai-Pune expressway. But it will save you from long frustrating queues on the new toll naka, unless you are reaching there early in the morning.

[Gannu_1]

Update:

We left Surat around 6 AM and reached Karad at 4:45 PM.

No issues anywhere. No traffic blocks anywhere near the Vasai creek or at any of the toll booths. We stopped for brunch at the food court after the first toll booth at the Mumbai-Pune expressway. The place was crowded as always but we quickly had our meal and left in about 20 minutes.

A couple of more diversions have come up in the stretch after Pune if my memory serves me right (October trip). Will depart from Karad on Saturday morn.

Originally Posted by mahesh_sn

Beware of newly opened Kamothe toll on the Sion-Panvel Expressway. It is already notorious for having long queues of vehicles waiting to pay toll.

We reached this spot around 11:30 AM and fortunately, not many vehicles were piled up in the queues. I guess the rush hour was probably over around that time. Barely 6-7 vehicles ahead of us and we cleared the toll booth in less than 10 minutes. I think the dreaded Mumbra route must be avoided at all costs. Had a terrible time there when we were returning back to Surat during a trip last year. My left knee was paining like hell thanks to the frequent clutch movements!

[CANPUSH]

Originally Posted by madhu33

Hi
Quoting an old post of yours.
Any idea of the road condition recently.
I may be planning to do this route at around 11pm in February.
I have a Tata Manza , with Auxiliary lights (hella 500ff pencil beam) installed and also the HIDs in the fog lamp for lighting up the corners.
We will be 3 or 4 guys in the car.
Thanks

Sorry for late reply.

I trust there should not be an issue with your car.

Condition is bit better now.

[Hammer & Anvil]

Originally Posted by CANPUSH

Condition is bit better now.

We went to Goa via Amboli on last Thursday- 19 Feb 2015- and returned via Chorla Ghats on Sunday- yesterday from the IBW.

The Chorla route from Mapusa-Thivim Railway station-Bicholim-Keri-Chorla-Belgaum is possibly the best road in the entire Goa/Karnataka area...

The entire Goa portion has been surfaced, or has been patched and is a 8/10, where as from the toll gate onwards (due west) the road is nothing short of brilliant. The karnataka portion is a 10/10 for charm and finish along with a 11/10 for scenery.

Amboli is a 4/10 and without any character or charm...

In addition, the ride from Kolhapur to Belgaum itself is a superb road ride...

[livetodrive]

Planned a half day office on Thursday to drive to Morjim beach followed by Colva. Will follow the route mentioned by Hammer & Anvil. I drove through Belgaum - Goa route before, but when I was in Bangalore. This will be my first drive from Pune.

I was zooming in to the map to find out a landmark when I should leave NH4 once I reach Belgaum. It seems to be a bit confusing I have attached the snapshot and request someone to take a look. I searched for Vishrantwadi (Pune) to Chorla (Goa). The zoom in point shows where I should leave NH4 and head towards Ganesh Hotel (on the RHS of the highway) followed by Channamma Circle to reach ultimately Panjim - Belgaum road. If someone can tell when I should be alert once I reach this point it will be helpful. I will hit NH4 around 2:30 PM at Bavdhan junction.

Sorry I forgot to post the attachment snapshot..here is the attachment:

[paragsachania]

Originally Posted by livetodrive

I was zooming in to the map to find out a landmark when I should leave NH4 once I reach Belgaum. It seems to be a bit confusing

The exit from NH4 that you take should be this.

From what I recollect, this is the first exit for Belgaum City when you are approaching from Kolhapur side and most of the KSRTC/NWRTC buses take this exit to reach the Bus Station (Noticed them whenever I was driving down to Bangalore from Pune/Mumbai)

[livetodrive]

Thanks paragsachania, I will keep slow and try to find the exit...if possible will follow a bus to guide me.

[1lokesh]

Originally Posted by livetodrive

Thanks paragsachania, I will keep slow and try to find the exit...if possible will follow a bus to guide me.

If you have google maps app on any of your device, this link should help. Just keep following the navigation

[bigwheelz]

This exit has a very small board "GOA" just before it. You will notice it as you slowly approach the exit.

[livetodrive]

As bigwheelz mentioned above, I slowed down near Belgavi (Belgaum) and got to see the "very small" Goa board.

Just for an update: Road from Belgaum to Panaji is an absolute breeze. Started from Panaji market at 2 PM yesterday and reached at Kohlapur McDonalds at 6 PM. In Sanquelim, you have to be a bit careful to note how to join and leave Sanquelim road...thats all. (I have attached a snapshot below)

I did not know Goa has an entry fee of Rs. 250/- !!

I took the above route while returning from Goa to Pune. While driving down, it was evening hours and I took the Panaji-Belgaum road to Khanapur which was in a bad condition.

In this route I had an weird experience which I would like to share. After paying the Goa entry fee around 10:30 PM, I found a car following me with its headlamps off and hazard lamps on. It kept chasing me through the deserted roads till I reached Ponda!! When I found it is chasing me, I slowed down, turned on the right indicator to let him go. But it did not overtake which made me thought his headlamps must be malfunctioning. Surprisingly I found it has targeted me because it did not follow any other car which were driving slowly. In this stretch I found only one or two cars and in both cases I thought this chap might leave me and follow the slower ones instead. But he didn't. I felt scared, but finally found a 'Y' junction near Ponda where I took the left arm to enter the village and let him pass through the highway. It was so dark till this point, neither me or my copassenger could identify the make of the car, but it was powerful enough to chase my DZire @90-100KMPH. At last, when I came out of the village and hit the highway again, I found an old Honda City on the road side with its blinkers ON and the drivers seat window covered with Sun shades at night 11 PM !! Any advice on what to do in such cases? I got clueless

[Trojan]

Originally Posted by livetodrive

In this route I had an weird experience which I would like to share.
I found a car following me with its headlamps off and hazard lamps on.

It kept chasing me through the deserted roads till I reached Ponda!! When I found it is chasing me,

But it did not overtake which made me thought his headlamps must be malfunctioning.

Surprisingly I found it has targeted me because it did not follow any other car which were driving slowly.
I felt scared, but finally found a 'Y' junction near Ponda where I took the left arm to enter the village and let him pass through the highway.

At last, when I came out of the village and hit the highway again, I found an old Honda City on the road side with its blinkers ON and the drivers seat window covered with Sun shades at night 11 PM !! Any advice on what to do in such cases? I got clueless

Honestly, I feel that the car was using you as a guide probably due to a headlight malfunction.

Reason I feel so;
1.if anyone has any malicious intent, they wouldn't waste time following (lest you get the hint and be more prepared)
2. They would rather drive with headlights on and in 'Upper' which would make it impossible for you to identify any details.
3. Why following you, maybe you were driving at a decent speed, rather than trudging along a slow moving vehicle. (There have been instances of bikers being led by cars along major highways at night)

But I can understand, its easier to make a judgement now (since you're safe and sound). But I feel the person was as scared as you, and after you outsmarted him, he finally gave up and called it a day!

Nevertheless, next time avoid the Khanapur stretch at night, its a road meant for heavy duty trucks and crater proof vehicles and pretty desolate at that.


Now, for my question, I would be doing my usual bi-monthly drive to Goa however, this time I plan to take a short detour through Tarkarli!

The plan is to go through Kolhapur and take either Gaganbawda or Radhanagari to Tarkarli (which is better?)
From Tarkarli, we plan to leave post dinner and reach Siolim.

How are the road conditions from
1. Kolhapur - Gaganbawda - Tarkarli
2. Kolhapur - Radhanagari - Tarkarli
3. Tarkarli - Siolim (any ghats on this section)

I have never driven on the above routes, so here I am...


Cheers!
Trojan

[Trojan]

Nearly seven days not a single post...

Need some inputs people! Travel date is coming near, we are more inclined to take the Radhanagari route to Tarkarli, any suggestions and inputs are more than welcome.


Cheers!
Trojan

[hvkumar]

Originally Posted by Trojan

Now, for my question, I would be doing my usual bi-monthly drive to Goa however, this time I plan to take a short detour through Tarkarli!

The plan is to go through Kolhapur and take either Gaganbawda or Radhanagari to Tarkarli (which is better?)
From Tarkarli, we plan to leave post dinner and reach Siolim.

How are the road conditions from
1. Kolhapur - Gaganbawda - Tarkarli
2. Kolhapur - Radhanagari - Tarkarli
3. Tarkarli - Siolim (any ghats on this section)

I have never driven on the above routes, so here I am...


Cheers!
Trojan

I would take Kolhapur-Nipani-Tawande Ghat-Ajra-Amboli-Sawantwadi-Malwan-Tarkarli.

I would avoid Gangabawda route. Radhangari route also I would avoid because it also involves going into Kolhapur city & going on not-so-good roads.

Tarakarli-Malwan-Parule-Vengurle-Shiroda-Arambol-Siolim has ghats till Vengurle.

[Trojan]

Originally Posted by hvkumar

I would take Kolhapur-Nipani-Tawande Ghat-Ajra-Amboli-Sawantwadi-Malwan-Tarkarli.

I would avoid Gangabawda route. Radhangari route also I would avoid because it also involves going into Kolhapur city & going on not-so-good roads.

Tarakarli-Malwan-Parule-Vengurle-Shiroda-Arambol-Siolim has ghats till Vengurle.

From the man himself...! Thank you sir!

So Gaganbawda is out!!

We are staying at Kolhapur at a friends place, so cannot avoid the city.
Don't mind the bad roads, wanted to know is the road through Radhanagari, somewhat like the one going through Bandhavgarh (or am I hoping too much)
If its not too crowded along with some good scenery to boot and a very lucky sighting, that would make a very interesting drive to Tarkarli!

Cheers!
Trojan

[hvkumar]

Originally Posted by Trojan

From the man himself...! Thank you sir!

So Gaganbawda is out!!

We are staying at Kolhapur at a friends place, so cannot avoid the city.
Don't mind the bad roads, wanted to know is the road through Radhanagari, somewhat like the one going through Bandhavgarh (or am I hoping too much)
If its not too crowded along with some good scenery to boot and a very lucky sighting, that would make a very interesting drive to Tarkarli!

Cheers!
Trojan

If you are going into Kolhapur city anyway, then the Radhanagari route is a good one to take. Will be very dry and hot though. You can rule out possibilities of any sightings by day