[karthik_rao]

Rahul Sinha, Bhuvan and I have had almost the same times from Mumbai to Pandharpur. That kind of predictability is just great, and I plan to do my return trip Hyd-Mumbai along the Pandharpur Satara route. Have posted more info on the Mum-Hyd thread, and more updates and pics once I return.

[suniladhiya]

Calling Ashisbhau: To get to the Baramati agro-tourism, would it be better to continue on NH4 till Sarola and take the Veer Dam road till Nira and then via Malegaon. towards the agro center. Or even to continue upto Shirwal and take the Nira Road via Lonand.

Or do you feel that the turnoff at Kapurhol is the better choice and then proceed via Jejuri-Morgaon-Baramati-Agro Centre.

Also, to time the Kapurhol exit exactly, can you please advise how many kms after the Khed Shivapur toll booth is this exit ?

[hvkumar]

Originally Posted by suniladhiya

Also, to time the Kapurhol exit exactly, can you please advise how many kms after the Khed Shivapur toll booth is this exit ?

14 kms from the Khed Shivapur toll gate is the Kapurhol junction where you turn off NH4 towards Narayanpur.

[ASHISHPALLOD]

Originally Posted by suniladhiya

Calling Ashisbhau: To get to the Baramati agro-tourism, would it be better to continue on NH4 till Sarola and take the Veer Dam road till Nira and then via Malegaon. towards the agro center. Or even to continue upto Shirwal and take the Nira Road via Lonand.

No need to come via nh4.

1]Pune-hadpsar-dive ghat-saswad-jejuri-morgaon-12mati ~~~ 100km

2] pune-kondhawa-bopdev ghat-saswad-jejuri-morgaon-12mati~~~100km.

Both routes are good.

If you want nh4, then its kapurhol-saswad-jejuri-12mati.

[athanedar]

Traveling to Solapur this republic day.

After reading through the posts here it looks like NH9 is a disaster zone and should be avoided.

Two alternative routes seems to be :
Route 1 : Pune - Saswad - Baramati - Indapur - Solapur

Route 2 : Pune - Satara - Pandharpur - Mohol - Solapur

I dont mind traveling the extra miles.

Which one is the better route in terms of road quality and less traffic ?
How about sugarcane truck traffic ? Is it on these days?
Can I reach Solapur within 5 hours on any of these routes ?

Appreciate your help

[hyd_traveller]

Originally Posted by athanedar

Traveling to Solapur this republic day.

Which one is the better route in terms of road quality and less traffic ?

At what time do you intend to depart from Pune for Solapur?

Edit : After posting the answer to above question, just wait for a little while so that AP, HVK, Ranjit and other Gurus will come with their advise!!!

[athanedar]

Originally Posted by hyd_traveller

At what time do you intend to depart from Pune for Solapur?

Sorry forgot to mention that. Planning to start at 6:00 am.

[ASHISHPALLOD]

Originally Posted by athanedar

Traveling to Solapur this republic day.

Originally Posted by hyd_traveller

just wait for a little while so that AP, HVK, Ranjit and other Gurus will come with their advise!!!

Originally Posted by athanedar

Planning to start at 6:00 am.

here i am.

Take NH9 directly from pune to solapur.
As it will be republic day, there will be minimum truck traffic.

[athanedar]

Originally Posted by ASHISHPALLOD

here i am.

Take NH9 directly from pune to solapur.
As it will be republic day, there will be minimum truck traffic.

Do maximum truckers take holiday on republic day ? Sorry for my ignorance but I am not associated with that industry. Unless there is a bandh I dont think truckers go off road.

[ASHISHPALLOD]

Originally Posted by athanedar

Do maximum truckers take holiday on republic day ?

As 26th jan is govt holiday, no worker at any istablishment can be forced to work as per govt guidlines.
The trucks on NH9 mainly headed to mumbai to unload the stuff can not do so due to holiday at mumbai market.
No trucker will be happy to stay in mumbai due to high cost of food etc,
they prefer to stop at any dhaaba near mumbai/pune/nh9 and will start again to mumbai early on 27th, .....hence less traffic on 26th.

[athanedar]

Thank you pallod sir for the advice. Will update the thread with my drive experience.
I will be traveling back on the Jan 27th. So while returning which route is better?

[ASHISHPALLOD]

Originally Posted by athanedar

Thank you pallod sir for the advice. Will update the thread with my drive experience.
I will be traveling back on the Jan 27th. So while returning which route is better?

Again its nh9.
No uploading of stuff in the trucks on 26th, so minimum truck traffic on 27th also.

[karthik_rao]

I went via Satara Dec29-Jan1. I found the Satara route very relaxing to drive on. I am sure you can do Pune - Solapur in around 5 hours this way too, especially if you start early.

My 2p on Long Holidays and traffic:
1. This is a long weekend for people taking a hol on 27th.
2. You could see a horde of non-truck travellers around such holidays.
3. During my trip via Satara, I got killed by what looked like holiday-maker traffic to me.(2 wheelers, Qualises etc from Mahabaleshwar to Pune/Mumbai?)
4. Traffic was so thick that it took me 3 hours from Katraj tunnel to Dehu road. Then 3 hours from Dehu Rd to Kalamboli on expressway, something I normally do in 45 to 50 min. You can see my post in the Mum-Hyd thread for details.
5. Toll nakas get clogged when you have such rush.

Maybe some of this applies to NH9, maybe it does not. What I know is that NH9 is a very painful road to drive on. And watch out for Volvo traffic early mornings.

Originally Posted by athanedar

Sorry forgot to mention that. Planning to start at 6:00 am.

[suniladhiya]

Originally Posted by ASHISHPALLOD

No need to come via nh4.

1]Pune-hadpsar-dive ghat-saswad-jejuri-morgaon-12mati ~~~ 100km

2] pune-kondhawa-bopdev ghat-saswad-jejuri-morgaon-12mati~~~100km.

Both routes are good.

If you want nh4, then its kapurhol-saswad-jejuri-12mati.

@Ashish: We were very keen on visiting the Baramati agro tourism site. However, their office in Pune seems utterly lethargic and non-responsive to prospective travellers. They put us off for two Sundays running, saying that you are only two people how can we arrange for you on Sunday etc ?
Is this the only way one can book for this place or can you go directly to the place and demand to be admitted. The Pune office claims that you cant go there directly, you wont be admitted. I think thats ridiculous, because in that case do they expect people from other cities to come to Pune to book their places ? What is your experience ? I was completely put off by the attitude of the staff at their Pune office.

[ASHISHPALLOD]

Originally Posted by suniladhiya

@Ashish: We were very keen on visiting the Baramati agro tourism site. However, their office in Pune seems utterly lethargic and non-responsive to prospective travellers.

As local, i went there directly.
I will contact admin here and get back to you.