[pganapathy]

Originally Posted by paragsachania

But, what makes you think driving from Bombay is less complicated than driving bypassing Pune? Is it because the origin being Bombay and hence no choice there but if given a choice, you are ready to totally deviate away from Pune and so your query?

Basically I can start from Navi Mumbai and get onto the MPEW easily. The concern is both Bombay and Pune are red zones, so I don't want to get stuck anywhere in Maharashtra while trying to drive down. Once I get into Karnataka things look like they may be easier, relatively. Assuming the regular highway route isn't part of the quarantined red zone, I am happy to do that. Otherwise, I was just trying to figure out a way of bypassing Pune and getting back onto the highway further down like say Satara. The idea is to stick to the highway as much as possible. Quicker, more facilities available and generally safer.

[narayans80]

Originally Posted by pganapathy

The concern is both Bombay and Pune are red zones, so I don't want to get stuck anywhere in Maharashtra while trying to drive down.

NH4 is a major corridor, it is by no means going to be cut off. You may however need to be prepared to stock up with eatables and do a minimal stop drive

[vivek95]

Originally Posted by pganapathy

Basically I can start from Navi Mumbai and get onto the MPEW easily. The concern is both Bombay and Pune are red zones, so I don't want to get stuck anywhere in Maharashtra while trying to drive down. Once I get into Karnataka things look like they may be easier, relatively. Assuming the regular highway route isn't part of the quarantined red zone, I am happy to do that. Otherwise, I was just trying to figure out a way of bypassing Pune and getting back onto the highway further down like say Satara. The idea is to stick to the highway as much as possible. Quicker, more facilities available and generally safer.

I am not getting you. Are you undertaking this drive now or after 3rd May ?? Mumbai and Pune will continue to be under lockdown until 18th May and in all probabilities one may still be able to drive until Maharashtra--Karnataka border citing any emergency but there is high chance you will not be let inside Karnataka after learning that you drove from Mumbai--Pune region.

[jkrishnakj]

I think even the inter districts drive within same states will also not be allowed soon.

Inter states is quite a long way away.

[pganapathy]

Originally Posted by vivek95

I am not getting you. Are you undertaking this drive now or after 3rd May ?? Karnataka after learning that you drove from Mumbai--Pune region.

The current plan is 4 may. My concern is exactly that they wont let me travel or detain me because of travel out of Navi Mumbai. And possibly because I am passing through Pune. My current assumption is Bangalore and Karnataka may not extend the quarantine, whereas parts of Maharashtra will.

[Ertigiat]

Originally Posted by pganapathy

Basically I can start from Navi Mumbai and get onto the MPEW easily. The concern is both Bombay and Pune are red zones, so I don't want to get stuck anywhere in Maharashtra while trying to drive down. Once I get into Karnataka things look like they may be easier, relatively. Assuming the regular highway route isn't part of the quarantined red zone, I am happy to do that. Otherwise, I was just trying to figure out a way of bypassing Pune and getting back onto the highway further down like say Satara. The idea is to stick to the highway as much as possible. Quicker, more facilities available and generally safer.

I would recommend to stick to NH4 because it will be open for vehicles which carry essentials goods. If you intend to take any other state highway, there are high chances that you will be stopped by local police or even natives who are guarding boundaries of their town/village. Apply for proper travel permit. Obtain it and drive through NH4. It will be lot quicker and hassle free. Even if police stop you, show the valid document and they will let you pass.

Originally Posted by pganapathy

The current plan is 4 may. My concern is exactly that they wont let me travel or detain me because of travel out of Navi Mumbai. And possibly because I am passing through Pune. My current assumption is Bangalore and Karnataka may not extend the quarantine, whereas parts of Maharashtra will.

I am pretty sure the lock down will extend well beyond 3rd of May in most parts of India. It will lot better if you start process for applying travel permit sooner. Get the test done for novel coronavirus and carry a copy of test. If you present travel permit along with your test certificate no one will stop you.

Apologies, I do not know process of obtaining travel in Maharashtra. In Goa there are clear guidelines on Government web portal to obtain travel permit.

[pganapathy]

Guys, does anybody know if the Bombay Pune Expressway is fully functional. They had demolished the Amrutanjan bridge and needed to do some work there. If not, is there a bypass on/near the highway itself. Am hoping to drive it on 18 May and don't want to get stuck.

[vivek95]

Originally Posted by pganapathy

Guys, does anybody know if the Bombay Pune Expressway is fully functional. They had demolished the Amrutanjan bridge and needed to do some work there. If not, is there a bypass on/near the highway itself. Am hoping to drive it on 18 May and don't want to get stuck.

It was just meant to be demolished and nothing else to be done. The new bypass has a different route altogether. Mumbai--Pune Expressway is fully functional and now with revised toll rates. I think its 270/- now for a car as against the previous 230/-

However I fully doubt if Mumbai, Pune will reopen after 17th May. This overhyped lockdown will continue till June end.

[vharihar]

I plan to drive solo from Blore to Mumbai, and stay there for 2 nights, and return to Blore with my super senior citizen parents, who are finding it hard to manage there on their own (My dad is aged 80+ and blind, my mom is aged 75+; both diabetics). Questions:

1) For my solo onward trip, I need to apply only for KA pass, correct?
2) For our return trip, we need to apply only for MH pass, correct?
3) Will we be necessarily quarantined in a hotel? When and where? Only on return? At the state border near Belgaum? Any way we can be excused from hotel quarantine? (My dad is aged 80+ and blind, my mom is aged 75+; my dad finds it very difficult to stay in unfamiliar places, use unfamiliar toilets, etc; being blind, he relies on memory of the room layout to use its services; so we'd greatly prefer home quarantine rather than hotel quarantine)
4) What reason should I cite when applying for the passes (to increase chances of approval)? Medical? Or stranded? I'm guessing stranded, bcoz saying "Medical" may involve getting medical certificate etc; all involving needless running around and risk for them.
5) How long does it take to get the pass approved?

Anyone been in such a situation? Would you recommend doing this trip now? Or wait a few more weeks for things to relax more? (which I presume has to happen; it can't remain so restrictive for too long)

[paragsachania]

Originally Posted by vharihar

1) For my solo onward trip, I need to apply only for KA pass, correct?

You will need pass both for KA as well as MH. Right now, none is allowed take up even interdistrict travel without a valid pass.

2) For our return trip, we need to apply only for MH pass, correct?

Same is applicable for return too. Pass to travel in MH and KA. Return of course will need to have pass for anyone who is accompanying you.

3) Will we be necessarily quarantined in a hotel? When and where? Only on return? At the state border near Belgaum? Any way we can be excused from hotel quarantine? (My dad is aged 80+ and blind, my mom is aged 75+; my dad finds it very difficult to stay in unfamiliar places, use unfamiliar toilets, etc; being blind, he relies on memory of the room layout to use its services; so we'd greatly prefer home quarantine rather than hotel quarantine)

During return, your destination is Bangalore. So less likely that you will be asked to quarantine at the border itself. Ideally you will have to quarantine at your destination and drive non-stop to Bangalore.

4) What reason should I cite when applying for the passes (to increase chances of approval)? Medical? Or stranded? I'm guessing stranded, bcoz saying "Medical" may involve getting medical certificate etc; all involving needless running around and risk for them.

The most applicable reason as appropriate, generally you have good options mentioned that one can pick.

5) How long does it take to get the pass approved?

Unable to answer this since I only know that inter district pass to travel within KA used to take few hours

Anyone been in such a situation? Would you recommend doing this trip now? Or wait a few more weeks for things to relax more? (which I presume has to happen; it can't remain so restrictive for too long)

Although not the exact situation, as I type this, I am live tracking my cousin who is travelling from Indore to Belur (Hassan Dt) today.

Much will be known when he enters Karnataka around midnight today. The pass he has clearly mentions that the entry point into Karnataka is the Kognoli check post (One soon after Kolhapur when driving south) at the toll.

I will share updates on this thread tomorrow based on how his trip progresses.

He is with another traveller and totally 3 of them including the driver in a hired Innova. He will get dropped first to Belur while the other would get dropped to Bangalore. From Bangalore, the same cab will take 2 more to Indore. Quite a complex plan but he has no choice and this was win-win for all.

[vharihar]

Originally Posted by paragsachania

I will share updates on this thread tomorrow based on how his trip progresses.

Any updates on how this went? Would be helpful.

[nitheeshsreeram]

Hi
I am planning to travel to Trivandrum from Mumbai. I have got the pass from Kerala waiting for the one from Maharashtra. Had some queries
1) Do we need transit passes of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.( Can't see such an option on the website)
2) Planning to break the journey at hosur. Any suggestions for hotel that would be open for an overnight stay
3) Are there any restaurants on the way for taking food on parcel.

[paragsachania]

Originally Posted by vharihar

Any updates on how this went? Would be helpful.

Apologies for late response. Wanted to give a break for my PC over the weekend.

Here is an update for you:

• At MH-KA Border, the checkpost at the entry point is Kognoli Toll
  
• It was past midnight when this vehicle entered Karnataka and it was raining at that time and they were neither stopped nor checked
  
• They encountered at least 15 checkposts between Indore and Belur (Got off the NH at Davanagere for Channagiri). Between Pune and Davanagere, easily around 5-6 check posts
  
• You wont be asked to produce any documents and mostly asked to display the pass (Letter) or phone while you are seated inside. Questions regarding source and destination was common across all checkposts
  
• My relative's destination was Belur and this was mentioned in the pass as well. So as soon as he entered his home district at Banavara, a vehicle escorted him all the way to Belur where as per the protocols he was advised to undergo paid institutional quarantine for a period of 14 days, at 750 per day. The facility was a Tourist lodge
  
• Since he was the first one to enter this taluk (Hassan had 0 cases till mid of last week), a lot was unknown by the authorities and he had a tough time to finally settle at the IQ facility.

Moral of the story:

Border entry check when entering KA didn't happen. However, since regular checking existed at various places beyond this entry point, more so when you enter into a town/district, the authorities would know that you will anyway be checked wherever you are headed to, especially when you are closer to destination.

As per latest guidelines, inter state travel by Bus and passenger vehicles is now allowed based on mutual consent between states. This means, things will be more relaxed in coming days and you may not really face any hardships while you travel.

Route Taken:

Indore - Dhule - Sangamner - Shirdi - Nagar - Shikrapur - Chakan - Pune - Westerly Bypass - Kolhapur - Belgaum - Hubli - Davanagere - Channagiri - Banavara - Halebidu - Belur

[sarvatron]

Anyone has or plans to drive down to Bangalore from Mumbai in the coming week?
There's a lot of confusion with the new regulation and now the cyclone. Any tips or updates on the route, and what's the recommendation on driving in this weather? My plan as of now is to leave on 10th June and reach the same day.

[paragsachania]

Originally Posted by sarvatron

Anyone has or plans to drive down to Bangalore from Mumbai in the coming week?
There's a lot of confusion with the new regulation and now the cyclone. Any tips or updates on the route, and what's the recommendation on driving in this weather? My plan as of now is to leave on 10th June and reach the same day.

10th June is far away. So don't worry about the weather then unless some other cyclone builds up (unlikely).

The issue right now is to deal with travel restrictions and the quarantine rules that has created a lot of confusion as I have been hearing/reading, especially for those who want to enter Karnataka from Maharashtra.