[himavanth_m]

@Milecruncher and mercedised - Thanks for your words. That gives me confidence to take my safari.

@cool_dube: yes I am aware of the long and tiring drive. Since I havent explored MP too much (infact nil), I am all the more enthusiastic to go there. Unfortunately, this drive will be for official purposes and will not be able to explore too much, but atleast I will start somewhere.
The only other opportunity for me to travel to MP(now Chattisgarh) was when I was a Kid, when my dad took me all the way from Hyd to Bacheli (NMDC township) to meet some relatives in an Ambassador.and visited Chitrakoot falls then.

[lejhoom]

Originally Posted by himavanth_m

I am planning to do a solo drive through Hyderabad - Nagpur - Bhopal - Gwalior stretch in 1st week of November. and I am planning to Halt at Bhopal for the night.

I did the Hyderabad-Nagpur-Bhopal route about 10 days back. Some info here: http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/route-...-indore-2.html

As for the cops, I haven't even seen any cop on the road in MP! They are a rare species.

Doing Hyderabad-Bhopal is quite tiring considering the road condition after Nagpur.

Start early from Hyderabad and try to reach Nagpur before noon. That is the only solution.

mercedised has a better grip of things as for accommodation at Bhopal. There are plenty budget options available near the main railway station.

[MileCruncher]

Originally Posted by lejhoom

mercedised has a better grip of things as for accommodation at Bhopal. There are plenty budget options available near the main railway station.

Another good option is MPTDC Highway Retreat at Bhimbetka about 40 kms from Bhopal and it has a secure parking and good rooms.

[lejhoom]

Originally Posted by MileCruncher

Another good option is MPTDC Highway Retreat at Bhimbetka about 40 kms from Bhopal and it has a secure parking and good rooms.

That's right. It is on route to Bhopal. 30 odd km.

[MileCruncher]

Originally Posted by MileCruncher

Another good option is MPTDC Highway Retreat at Bhimbetka about 40 kms from Bhopal and it has a secure parking and good rooms.

Review and pictures here for the MPTDC Bhimbetka
http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/travel...ml#post1513827

[sarmarishi]

I know this is an old thread but I thought I will bring it to life again instead of starting a new one. I am flying into Nagpur from Bangalore and then going by car from there to Hoshangabad near Bhopal. Because I am travelling with my pet I was unable to fly directly into Bhopal. So what would be the best route to get there? Actually I need to go to Satpura (which will be my home from September) which is about an hour from Hoshangabad towards Sohagpur. Do let me know how the roads are and how long it should take. Thanks.

[gajadonga]

I had traveled in January this year on this route.
From Nagpur to Betul is good roads.
Betul to Hoshangabad is average some ghat sections also.
Safer to do a day journey after Betul.

[sarmarishi]

Originally Posted by gajadonga

Safer to do a day journey after Betul.

Any particular reason why you say it is safer to travel this stretch during the day? Just because of road conditions or anything else?

[gajadonga]

Originally Posted by sarmarishi

Any particular reason why you say it is safer to travel this stretch during the day? Just because of road conditions or anything else?

The road goes through ghat sections and the road is average.
If travelling with family any puncture it will be a tough time. More over the traffic is not heavy and in some stretches you do not have shoulder and the roads are broken up.In-fact I traveled between Betul and Bhopal between 2am-6am and I had only lorry traffic for company.
It is my personal feeling to avoid night travel.

[sarmarishi]

Ah ok.. I am not looking at too late in the night. I will be arriving at Nagpur at 4:30 so I should be on my way by about 5:30 to Hoshangabad. I am guessing I should be in Satpura by 12 at night if the roads are ok since I will be in an Innova.

[gajadonga]

Originally Posted by sarmarishi

Ah ok.. I am not looking at too late in the night. I will be arriving at Nagpur at 4:30 so I should be on my way by about 5:30 to Hoshangabad. I am guessing I should be in Satpura by 12 at night if the roads are ok since I will be in an Innova.

Innova is a good vehicle and good ground clearance so it would not
be a problem.Hope you have a driver along with you.

[cool_dube]

A quick update - one of my relatives did Nagpur-Bhopal last week and NH69 is a disaster, to say the least. The stretch b/w Betul and Hoshangabad is literally a no-road stretch. It is infested with huge potholes and ongoing rains have made it difficult to gauge the depth since they end up getting filled with rain water. In fact, their Innova got stuck in one such crater and had to be pulled out!!! So avoid this stretch unless there is a confirmed news of road repairs.

What I fail to understand is that despite being such an important connection (Nagpur and Bhopal are two commercially important cities) this road has always been a mess and nothing is being done about it

[mercedised]

Originally Posted by cool_dube

A quick update - one of my relatives did Nagpur-Bhopal last week and NH69 is a disaster, to say the least. The stretch b/w Betul and Hoshangabad is literally a no-road stretch. It is infested with huge potholes and ongoing rains have made it difficult to gauge the depth since they end up getting filled with rain water. In fact, their Innova got stuck in one such crater and had to be pulled out!!! So avoid this stretch unless there is a confirmed news of road repairs.

What I fail to understand is that despite being such an important connection (Nagpur and Bhopal are two commercially important cities) this road has always been a mess and nothing is being done about it

Fortunately, the government has awakened and this road will be going tobe 4-laned in coming years. This road is worst to drive in rains and huge jams add to that.

[cool_dube]

Originally Posted by mercedised

Fortunately, the government has awakened and this road will be going tobe 4-laned in coming years

This sounds too good to be true! I would consider it no less than a miracle if the road is made motorable in its 2-lane avatar itself

[nomadabhi]

Here are some pics;

Roads from Nagpur to border are good as seen here



If you look close enough you can see difference on tar right at the border;



The road is fair till Betul from border



However, beware of the small bridges (known as puliya).
Normally, when such small bridges come, the road widens. However, on this route the road on bridges get narrow with space for only one truck to pass. Moreover they are not leveled and the road goes like a inverted hunch over these small bridges.
Cheapest solution MP Govt. has found is to raise a warning board before each of these traps, "Sankeerna Pulliya (narrow bridge)" which often results in such scenes;



Further, the road around Hoshangabad has been pathetic since years. Space enough for a truck and car passing together with an inch of gap between them.
Moreover, one cannot think of getting vehicle down the road as it has irregularly cut off edges.

As you cross Hoshangabad railway crossing, till the time you cross the Narmada Bridge, you will have to enjoy humps given by each set of small but high speed breakers laid at every 50-100 meter distance.