![]() | #196 | |
BHPian ![]() Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Mumbai
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Back! Took the Mumbai/Kolhapur/Sankeshwar/Gadhinglaj/Ajra/Amboli/Sawantwadi/Panjim/Madgaon while going and Madgaon/Panjim/Sawantwadi/Ajra/Uttur/Nipani/Kolhapur/Mumbai on return. The Gandhinglaj/Ajra/Amboli route is in overall good shape. Some road tarring going on, variable road conditions (read not smooth blacktop but gravellish tarred road) and NO potholes The Ajra/Uttur/Nipani stretch is totally variable. Smooth blacktop, Potholed stretches, Narrow elevated 1.5 lanes, you name it. I made good time on it since it is empty and I was tailing a civic which was familiar with the road but overall would recommend the Sankheshwar/Gadhinglaj route Checked with some commercial drivers in Madgaon about the NH4A/Londa/Ponda stretch and was immediately advised not to bother since there are massive traffic jams due to trucks, potholes and a fair bit of off road driving if one has to slip past the trucks. The roads from Sawantwadi to Panjim are wide/being widened and are really nice. Oh! And Goa is really really HOT! | |
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![]() | #197 | |
Senior - BHPian ![]() | ![]() Quote:
Now that the holiday season has begun is anyone drivign down from Mumbai or Pune end of this month? Regards | |
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![]() | #198 | |
Senior - BHPian ![]() Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Hyderabad
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![]() I think I would still stick with the Amboli routes ![]() When is your next trip to Goa?I think we will be there during the rains. | |
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![]() | #199 |
BHPian ![]() Join Date: May 2009 Location: Kolkata
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| ![]() Thanks EVERYONE for contributing to this exhaustive reference material. I am planning a family trip on 2nd May. I am going to take the Nipani-Sankheshwar-Gandhiglaj route, but there are many turn off between Nipani and Sankheshwar. (Google maps) which one is the right one? |
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![]() | #200 |
Senior - BHPian ![]() Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Mumbai
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| ![]() The first turn-off comes at the top of Tawande Ghat, after Nippani town, next to the Kaveri Hotel. This one takes you through Ajra to Amboli. The second is at Sankeshwar, where you take a turn off to the town. This one takes you to Gadliganj and Amboli. |
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![]() | #201 |
BHPian ![]() Join Date: May 2009 Location: Kolkata
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| ![]() Thanks hvk! From google maps, it looks like I should cross Nipani town, as you said. Then continue on NH4 and skip the Sh97 that starts off a little after Nipani. Then I skip the first 2 flyovers and turn right under the third one? and here I will also get to see the hotel Kaveri landmark. Is this correct? Sorry guys, first long trip hence a little over-cautious. Is the Nipani - Uttur - Ajra really bad of just bad compared to the other option? Last edited by Exhaust_Note : 20th April 2010 at 10:20. |
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![]() | #202 | |
Senior - BHPian ![]() | ![]() Quote:
the second photo is the turn at the Kaveri and Satyapalace restaurants. The road from here to Ajra via Uttur is very narrow (You will have to go on to the shoulder of the road when there is an oncoming truck or bus) so go further down about 12 kms keep to the left go onto the service road and take the right under the NH4. Post your experience regards the road conditions. I will be driving down about that time too but I will go to Belgaum and turn towards Amboli. There is a Macdonalds 186 km from bandra. You wil find the other eating places like sai international about 31 kms before kolhapur. Avoid the two restaurants at the turn to uttur. Last edited by deutscheafrikar : 20th April 2010 at 10:55. | |
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![]() | #203 |
BHPian ![]() Join Date: May 2009 Location: Kolkata
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| ![]() deutscheafrikar Thanks!! Now I got it. Your first picture in link was really helpful. Thanks to you and hvk. Will try my hand at the travelogue, but is Goa not already saturated with numerous TLs? Since you will be driving down too and I see your location as Candolim, why dont we try and see each other? I was born and brought up in Vasco and college was in Dhempe-Miramar. Last edited by Exhaust_Note : 20th April 2010 at 12:05. |
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![]() | #204 | ||
Senior - BHPian ![]() | ![]() Quote:
Quote:
Exhaust note is this your first drive to Goa? What car will you be going in? | ||
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![]() | #205 | |
BHPian ![]() Join Date: May 2009 Location: Kolkata
Posts: 207
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![]() I will be driving my Wagon-R with four adults and a kid. My BIL, his wife, my wife, daughter and myself. | |
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![]() | #206 | |
BHPian Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Pune
Posts: 254
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While going i took the Pune-Nipani-Shankareshwar-Ghandilaj-Ajjar-Amboli-Sawantwadi-Panaji route. Total distance 440km. Reached there in 8 hrs (including halts), left Pune at 6am and was in Panaji by 2pm. While returning took the Uttur-Nippani route, back in 7.5 hrs. Both roads are in pretty good shape. Some rough patches here and there, but in general roads are good. Uttur roads are a bit narrow, however no traffic on this, so its quite drivable and shorter in distance as compared to the Shankareshwar route. | |
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![]() | #207 |
BHPian ![]() Join Date: May 2009 Location: Kolkata
Posts: 207
Thanked: 40 Times
| ![]() @pamishra: Thanks for the "latest" update. And since it will not rain (most probably) in the next 15 days, the roads will remain the same. Since the difference is about 30 minutes in a 9+ hour drive (from Navi Mumbai), I tend to take the seemingly safer option of the Sankheshwar route. While returning I might take the Uttur option since I will have a lot more confidence and lot more time also. |
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![]() | #208 |
Senior - BHPian ![]() | ![]() Exhaust note the roads from the NH4 to Sawantwadi are not well mantained, you will come across rough portions where the fine gravel is not put on the rough stone/tar mixture or the top layer has come off in certain section on one half of the road. So one has to go from this side to that side and then back again. So so much of time is spent driving on that 100 kms that finally you get the feeling this is never ending. This is the boring part. try MapmyIndia - maps, directions, and local search across India - just search, print and go! they have a good route map too. and when the amboli ghat ends there is a village called danoli. You need to go straight past that to sawantwadi. The reason I say this is that just after this village there used to be a sign showing that a left would take you to panjim etc.. shorter distance but a road to be avoided cause it's so narrow that just one car can pass and also in bad condition. Last edited by deutscheafrikar : 21st April 2010 at 21:38. |
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![]() | #209 |
BHPian ![]() Join Date: May 2009 Location: Kolkata
Posts: 207
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| ![]() thanks @deutscheafrikar! "you will come across rough portions ...So so much of time is spent driving on that 100 kms that finally you get the feeling this is never ending. This is the boring part." - Reminds me of the Alibaug - Murud roads about a year ago. Options? if none then so be it ![]() Also I am avoiding NH17 since it is a 2 laner with no divider. Don't want too many Indicas, Sumos and buses coming my way, to turn into their side at the last moment. Does anyone think I am being paranoid? Thanks again for the Danoli tip! Last edited by Exhaust_Note : 22nd April 2010 at 10:25. |
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![]() | #210 | |
Senior - BHPian ![]() Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Hyderabad
Posts: 3,685
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If its a fast drive,straight road drive,then NH4 should be your route. As for getting to Goa,other than the NH17 there is no other direct route.I would say try DF's new found route through Belgaum,it wouldnt make much of a difference in terms of time.There has been a recent update on the threads that NH4A from Belgaum via Anmod-Londa-Ponda is in excellent condition now,would be a good idea to check with somebody at Kolhapur(cab drivers,bus drivers etc),if this route is good,then it would be the fastest route and very scenic as well when you come down the Anmod ghats. | |
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