[genesis]

Planning a weekend jaunt on the Manor-Wada-Khodala road to see the greenery and waterfalls...ending up in Igatpuri and then Nashik...
Saw a news clip on TV saying there are severe rains in that area.
Any idea on the condition of the road and if they get flooded? There are some catchment lakes in that area.

[genesis]

Answering my own query after a weekend jaunt of 400 km. Road from Mumbai to Manor is still in decent condition with some potholed stretches. Manor to Wada is two laned, mostly good with some potholes. From Wada to Igatpuri via Vihigaon is amazing single lane smooth blacktop with incredible incredible scenery. Mindblowing waterfalls, rivers, bridges and thick forests. Nashik to Jawhar via Trimbak and then to Wada was also great.

Tried taking the road from Wada to Bhiwandi since it looked shorter on the map. Bad move, craters...not potholes...trucks and finally the mess that is Bhiwandi. Came out to the bypass and made great time back to Mumbai.

For those in Mumbai...the Manor, Wada, Vihigaon, Igatpuri stretch is highly recommended!

[hvkumar]

Thanks, that is great news.

I am recommending all to take the Mumbai-Thane-Bhiwandi-Wada-Manor route to avoid the horrible roads at Virar and long Qs at the toll gate on NH8 between Ghodbunder and Manor.

You must also try the road from Ghoti to Triambak via Upper Vaitarna - spectacular route too. NOt been for years on the Jawahar-Triambak road!

[genesis]

Originally Posted by hvkumar

Thanks, that is great news.

I am recommending all to take the Mumbai-Thane-Bhiwandi-Wada-Manor route to avoid the horrible roads at Virar and long Qs at the toll gate on NH8 between Ghodbunder and Manor.

@hvk: If I were coming on the Eastern Express highway from Chembur, where would I get into Bhiwandi? Is it at the signal after the IRB tollbooth. (Left goes into Bhiwandi, Straight to Nashik, Right says Navi Mumbai, Pune et all)

Is there another entry into Bhiwandi to go to after that one. The road is pretty congested to get onto despite a flyover.

[hvkumar]

Originally Posted by genesis

@hvk: If I were coming on the Eastern Express highway from Chembur, where would I get into Bhiwandi? Is it at the signal after the IRB tollbooth. (Left goes into Bhiwandi, Straight to Nashik, Right says Navi Mumbai, Pune et all)

Is there another entry into Bhiwandi to go to after that one. The road is pretty congested to get onto despite a flyover.

No, you don't have to go that way although that is also one of the routes.

When you come on EEH, you cross (a) the toll gate in Mulund, (b) the Thane octroi naka, (c) a railway overbridge (d) the Teen Hat Naka flyover, (e) the 1.6 km long Cadbury Jn flyover.

After you descend the long elevated road/ flyover, you will see the next flyover curving away to the right which is NH3 and leads to the toll gate you refer to.

Instead take the road below the flyover which curves to the left, goes through a busy junction and 200 metres later encounters a round (you will see a Big Bazaar to the right at the round). Turn here to the right (straight goes to Ghodbunder/NH8-Ahmedabad) and you will go to Bhiwandi town. Do not use the bypasses, there is an elevated road through the congested parts of town although you will encounter dense truck traffic as you wind your way through town (this route is recommended only in early and late hours of the day). Keep going straight through and you are in the Wada road. This road will go via Wada to Manor. Should take you 50 kms (same as NH8) and 1 hour once you cross Bhiwandi.

[stonefish]

Mumbai to Jawhar...3 recomendations but which one to follow -

1. WEH - Manor - Charoti - Jawhar
2. EEH - Igatpuri - Vihigaon - Jawhar
3. EEH - Bhiwandi - Wada - Jawhar

Start at 8 am on Sat and return at 5 pm Sun

[hvkumar]

Originally Posted by stonefish

Mumbai to Jawhar...3 recomendations but which one to follow -

1. WEH - Manor - Charoti - Jawhar
2. EEH - Igatpuri - Vihigaon - Jawhar
3. EEH - Bhiwandi - Wada - Jawhar

Start at 8 am on Sat and return at 5 pm Sun

The best is Route 1. Lovely, but heavily-trafficked roads till Charoti, and fro there, the mountain road is superb despite a few rough sections.

Going via Igatpuri - road is also good.

Bhiwandi route is best avoided because of the chaos of Bhiwandi town and the bad roads through it. Besides, road from Wada onwards till Vikramgad is mostly good but also has some rough sections.

[stonefish]

Originally Posted by hvkumar

The best is Route 1. Lovely, but heavily-trafficked roads till Charoti, and fro there, the mountain road is superb despite a few rough sections.

Going via Igatpuri - road is also good.

Bhiwandi route is best avoided because of the chaos of Bhiwandi town and the bad roads through it. Besides, road from Wada onwards till Vikramgad is mostly good but also has some rough sections.

Many thanks Chief... Stonefish is my handle in this forum - Ayan De