[govigov]

Just returned from Cochin - Coimbatore - Chennai - Pondi cherry and back.

From Coimbatore, took the recommended route here - Cbe - Salem - Attur - Ulundurpet - Chengalpet - Thiru porur - Sholinganallur. The routes were mostly good. I was expecting 4 lane all the way, but the section from Attur - Ulundurpet via kallakurichi was single lane when entering small cities and had red and white rubber bollards, this made overtaking a calculating affair and slowed us down a little bit. However, the early morning start helped.
Planned start time was 4AM, correct start time was 4.20AM. We reached cafe udupi ruchi at 8.10AM and took a 1 hour break. Tanked up and reach destination at 12.20. Overall I would say, this went along expected lines.

Return was from Pondicherry. I took the route via villupuram via villiannur (SH332) road widening work was going on, and it took 3 hours to cover 80 kms till ulundurpet. It was fun for me to have some hustling with the state buses who are rowdies on this route. The 12.2)- PM start from pondy ended up with a 10PM stop at my wife's house in Coimbatore.

[pypkmsrikanth]

Originally Posted by narayans80

On Salem-Ulundurpet, the options are very limited. I can't think of anything other than Ramas Veg and A2B, both near Attur. You'll find tons just after crossing Ulundurpet (near Sengurichi toll). Less options once you cross Sengurichi A2B/Cafe Udupi Ruchi until Villupuram. After Villupuram, you'll find dime a dozen all the way to Chengalpattu. You'll exit and take Chengalpattu-Thiruporur for Sholinganallur.

A couple of weeks back while coming back from Yercaud tried this place https://g.page/ungal-unavagam?share very good food but the restrooms are not that great though. This is a couple of kms before Ramas

[mah45]

Originally Posted by govigov

Just returned from Cochin - Coimbatore - Chennai - Pondi cherry and back.

From Coimbatore, took the recommended route here - Cbe - Salem - Attur - Ulundurpet - Chengalpet - Thiru porur - Sholinganallur.
- PM start from pondy ended up with a 10PM stop at my wife's house in Coimbatore.

How is the Thiruporur - Sholinganallur stretch
Especially the roads near Kelambakkam and Thiruporur were bad a year or so back, and there was too much traffic in Kelambakkam junction

Due to these I have not been using this route and instead do the regular Tambaram - Chengalpet road during last 2 -3 trips

[narayans80]

Originally Posted by mah45

Thiruporur - Sholinganallur stretch

Roads were ok at Kelambakkam. Traffic was and will be there.

Kelambakkam-Thiruporur had new tarmac.

Roads at Thiruporur till 100 meters of exit road to Chengalpattu was a disaster.

You should either take Thiruporur-Chengalpattu or ECR-Mahabalipuram bypass-Chengalpattu.

If you are on OMR/ECR side, going via Tambaram makes no sense

[mah45]

Originally Posted by narayans80

Roads were ok at Kelambakkam. Traffic was and will be there.

Kelambakkam-Thiruporur had new tarmac.

Roads at Thiruporur till 100 meters of exit road to Chengalpattu was a disaster.

You should either take Thiruporur-Chengalpattu or ECR-Mahabalipuram bypass-Chengalpattu.

If you are on OMR/ECR side, going via Tambaram makes no sense

Actually the approach towards OMR is a bit of a problem.
The road via Semmanchery is a disaster, and the Thalambur - Navalur road is also in bad condition, so end up losing lot of time before joining OMR.

So, was thinking could take the Medavakkam - Tambaram road and then GST.
But thanks for the update, will try to take the Thiruporur - Chengalpet road.

But will

[Accent Martin]

Hi Planning to drive from Bangalore to Coonoor. Route planned to take is via Salem, Mettupalayam, Coonoor.
Resort staff cautioned about road construction. Has anyone travelled recently in the past few weeks? How is the Road condition? Please advise

[narayans80]

Originally Posted by mah45

The road via Semmanchery is a disaster, and the Thalambur - Navalur road is also in bad condition, so end up losing lot of time before joining OMR.

If you are in Sithalapakkam-Ponmar region, you are better off taking Mambakkam-Kelambakkam and joining OMR. Medavakkam-Ponmar-Mambakkam is mostly decent except for some 50-100 meter stretches on Ponmar-Mambakkam.

[mah45]

Originally Posted by narayans80

If you are in Sithalapakkam-Ponmar region, you are better off taking Mambakkam-Kelambakkam and joining OMR. Medavakkam-Ponmar-Mambakkam is mostly decent except for some 50-100 meter stretches on Ponmar-Mambakkam.

Did the trip to Coimbatore and back the very next day.
Started at 6:45am in the morning from Perumbakkam.

Google maps showed the regular Tambaram -> GST stretch to be the fastest.
So, stuck to this route.

Traffic wasn't much and since the flyover on opposite direction in Perungalathur was opened, the congestion at the junction was much less.
Managed to reach Manoj bhavan Mamandur around 7:50am for Breakfast.
Unlike last time, I found the food quality to be decent this time, although the Service was haphazard and by the time we left this place it was 8:35am

Reached Ulundurpet junction around 10:30 and had a tender coconut break right after taking the right turn.

Ulundurpet - Salem stretch had 2-way laning at many places but traffic was light while going.
Reached A2B Salem bypass around 12:20 and had a light lunch.

https://maps.app.goo.gl/g627vpbdTeBVFozV6

There was heavy traffic in the Salem - Coimbatore stretch, and almost around 50 Kms before Coimbatore, the roads were 6-lane but full of patch work, so had to maintain constant speeds.

Reached Jenneys Residency in Coimbatore around 2:40pm, exactly 8 hours from Start time.

Found the hotel to be pretty good
Good large rooms, very good shower, and a decent South Indian breakfast buffet next morning.
There was a coffee shop within the campus which we found to be not worth though.

https://maps.app.goo.gl/LDmHGx2fkJ3yUYoZ6

While returning, started around 1pm and on this side of the road (Coimbatore to Avinasi) the 6-lane stretch was very good with decent tarmac.
Took a late lunch break at A2B Perundurai

https://maps.app.goo.gl/QMfQzFhHBZvMzMci6

Found both the food and restrooms to be pretty average here.
While on this highway we saw signboards of 'Tirupur Annapoorna' Perundurai branch all along, but really couldn't locate this place when nearing Perundurai

There were couple of sharp rain spells while doing the Salem - Ulundurpet stretch instantly flooding the roads.
So, took it easy and in fact stopped for 10 minutes after a Toll, and then proceeded.

Had couple of coffee breaks in Udupi Ruchi, Ulundurpet and again in one of those Only coffee outlets nearer to Chengalpattu.

The Perungalathur flyover had higher traffic while returning but still didn't get stuck too much on the way back as well.
Reached home around 9:15pm