[vivek95]

This was at Khambatki ghat ( Pune -- Satara ) on 15th June due to heavy downpour and since the hills have been cut for widening of the road.
Video credits - respective owners

https://youtu.be/iLhjZeZSei4

[ragh_bhushan]

Originally Posted by vivek95

This was at Khambatki ghat ( Pune -- Satara ) on 15th June due to heavy downpour and since the hills have been cut for widening of the road.
Video credits - respective owners

Any update on this route? I travel quite frequently on this stretch. Looks scary.

[paragsachania]

Originally Posted by ragh_bhushan

Any update on this route? I travel quite frequently on this stretch. Looks scary.

It is cleared. It lasted for a while and everything is normal.

[vivek95]

Minor updates and trip report of a quick solo drive from Belgaum to Mumbai that I had yesterday in our VW Polo ( 480 kms till destination ). Nothing significant to report apart from the fact that most of the Satara--Pune section is ready with it's 6 lanes that has reduced travel time considerably. Road from Belgaum to Kolhapur remains fantastic as always. Kolhapur to Karad to Satara is a bliss as well with it's supersmooth tarmac and immaculate lane markings and rumblers all the way. I literally did a non stop drive all the way except for a 3 mins stop at Kini toll.

03:40 a.m - started from my home in Belgaum
03:51 a.m - touched NH4
04:51 a.m - reached Kolhapur ( start of the bypass )
05:40 a.m - crossed Karad
06:15 a.m - crossed Satara
07:15 a.m - reached Khed Shivapur toll, Pune
07:20 a.m to 07:50 a.m - crossing Pune bypass
07:50 a.m - entered Pune--Mumbai expressway
09:05 a.m - touched entry point of Mumbai (Panvel)
10:15 a.m - at home in Mumbai

Since roads were mostly clear early morning till Pune, was able to do Belgaum--Pune in 3.5 hours and thereby Belgaum--Mumbai ( Panvel ) in 5 hours 15 mins. It did not rain as well anywhere. I was driving constantly between 100-110 kmph and did not go beyond the 120 mark at any point. Due to lesser instances of gear shifts and constant driving pattern, I got a good mileage of 17.5 kmpl in my Polo ( petrol ). This was without AC as there was no need of it. This was my fifth long drive in Polo ( 500 kms at a stretch each time ) ever since we bought it in Feb'17, third time on Belgaum--Mumbai sector.

Though Maharashtra has received heavy rains last month, road conditions remain very very good. The pending stretches on Satara--Pune for 6 laning would easily take another 9 months atleast, given their pathetic pace of work. I cannot conclude this post without mentioning about the scenic beauty of Western Ghats along NH4 in Maharashtra that has come alive in this monsoons. Since there were no rains nor thick fog, but only lush greenery all around, I enjoyed every km of the drive.

[vivek95]

Drove solo in Polo from Mumbai to Belgaum and here are some monsoon updates -

1. Mumbai--Pune Expressway remains fabulous as always. Only that for the first time in 15 years, a couple of medium sized potholes have cropped up around Lonavala over the tarmac stretches because of extremely heavy rains that had occurred over the last fortnight. However the authorities have already sprung into action of laying down new tar in form of patchwork. I can't describe in words the lovely weather and superb vistas that made the Expressway drive blissful.

2. Food carnival that was earlier a small hotel beyond Urse--Talegaon toll has now been newly built. It is now a large spacious hotel and relatively economical as compared to other food malls on E-way. I had the traditional Maharastrian food - "Pitla Bhakri " which was very tasty. Price - 130 bucks. I would anyday prefer eating such food than McDs or Domino's.




3.Pune city bypass is good 6 lane for 95% part and with only one diversion now.

At Katraj new tunnel, Pune


4. New "Shell" fuel station is coming up at Pune, just about a km or so beyond Khed Shivapur toll ( on left side going towards Kolhapur ).


5.Pune -- Satara : Good new roads all the way, 90% 6 lane roads. Pending stretches would take another year though to get completed. Lovely drive along the hills.

At Khambatki ghat



6. Satara -- Kolhapur -- Absolutely fantastic smooth roads despite heavy rains in recent past. Lush greenery all around.


7. Kolhapur -- Belgaum -- Top class as always ; Covered this part at night.

In short, the roads are very good all the way, no potholes anywhere. Just about three or four short rough stretches spanning 50-80 metres between Pune and Satara. I was flagged down by highway traffic police twice for general checking - at Khed Shivapur toll and just before Khambatki ghat. Had a very positive experience with the cops, they spoke politely, checked the documents quickly and let me go.

Started at 1.43 pm and exited Mumbai metropolis completely by 2.48 pm and reached Belgaum at 9.48 pm. This includes a total of 1 hour break in between.

[Dieseltuned]

Originally Posted by vivek95

Drove solo in Polo from Mumbai to Belgaum and here are some monsoon updates -

.

Your post comes at an opportune time. I am driving tomorrow in my humble WagonR from Mumbai to Kolhapur. Can you please guide me on one thing ::

1. Which fuel stations did you use to fuel up ?

Regards
Dieseltuned

[sukiwa]

Originally Posted by vivek95

4. New "Shell" fuel station is coming up at Pune, just about a km or so beyond Khed Shivapur toll ( on left side going towards Kolhapur ).

This shell fuel station was operational earlier & is in shutdown state for quite some time. Perhaps due to recent daily revision of fuel prices, it would get operational again.

Originally Posted by Dieseltuned

1. Which fuel stations did you use to fuel up ?

Few options, primarily BPCL as that's my choice most of the times.

BPCL outlet just after 2nd toll(Talegaon) on e-way
Shell outlet at Warje, Pune just after the only diversion on NH4 bypass
BPCL outlets before & after Khed-shivapur toll
BPCL outlet just before Hotel Sai International at Yelur

[paragsachania]

Originally Posted by sukiwa

This shell fuel station was operational earlier & is in shutdown state for quite some time. Perhaps due to recent daily revision of fuel prices, it would get operational again.

True. I used to fill here at this Shell Station way back in 2009-10 when I drove Pune Bangalore almost every alternate weekend.

And later this shut down, owing to unknown reasons as other Shell stations were very much operational in Pune and it was sometime in 2010 itself that the attendant here said she can only check oil and clean the windscreen as they won't sell fuel anymore.

Originally Posted by Dieseltuned

1. Which fuel stations did you use to fuel up ?

Here's the list: You can refer to the first post on this thread.

Originally Posted by paragsachania

Where to refuel

1.HPCL COCO - After Expressway Entry Toll Plaza

2.BPCL (Not sure if its a COCO but reliable) - After Expressway Exit Toll Plaza

3.Shell - Warje, on Pune Bypass

4.BPCL COCO - After Khedshivpur Toll Plaza

[Dieseltuned]

@sukiwa , @paragsachania

Completed my first long drive in my humble 2012 WagonR, did a round trip of Mumbai-Kolhapur-Mumbai over the weekend. From Mumbai to Kolhapur, we had to meet a friend at Hadapsar, so from Hadapsar instead of coming via usual Swargate -Katraj route, we came via dive ghat, Purandar, balaji mandir and joined the NH4 just after Khed-shivpur toll. Return journey was usual route. The Waggy performed flawlessly and the new Bridgestone B290 shoes that she was wearing did a great job in car handling.

Thank you for all your kind inputs

Regards
Dieseltuned

[ajay0912]

I am planning to drive from Pune to Bangalore next week with my Family. Could anyone please help with good stop over Suggestions for Breakfast, Lunch and etc.

[NPV]

Originally Posted by ajay0912

I am planning to drive from Pune to Bangalore next week with my Family. Could anyone please help with good stop over Suggestions for Breakfast, Lunch and etc.

Please look at Post #1 on this thread where Parag's post from elsewhere on this thread has been quoted - that has pretty much covered all aspects of breaks for food and fuel on this route

[drhoneycake]

Don't know if it's updated here, but there's a new place called "Hotel Upadhaya" just few KM after the 6 lane ends when entering Chitradurga town (going towards Hubli), it's on the right hand side. Nice place, clean toilets, good food and great service. It is about 4 months old.


Sent from my iPhone 6 using Team-BHP

[Neel]

what would be a good drive/route from Bangalore to Mumbai. any preferred pit stop for a day's stay on the route.

[paragsachania]

Originally Posted by Neel

what would be a good drive/route from Bangalore to Mumbai.

Fastest and most straightforward route:

Bangalore - Tumkur - Chitradurga - Davanagere - Hubli - Dharwad - Belgaum - Kolhapur - Satara - Pune - Expressway - Panvel - Navi Mumbai - Mumbai (Destination)

~975-1000 kms depending on your ultimate destination and around 14-16 Hours based on the time you depart, breaks you take and the day you start!

any preferred pit stop for a day's stay on the route.

This post should give you all details on where to stop (to eat) and where to fill up your tank:

http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/route-...ml#post3828255

If you are planning to halt overnight, Hubli (6h, 400 kms), Belgaum (7.5h, 500 kms) or Kolhapur (9h, 600 Kms) would be ideal destination for Leg 1 of your journey based on when you start and how much you can drive in a day..

- Hubli has plenty of options but quite popular ones are Clarks Inn, Ayodhya etc

- Belgaum has Sankam, Ramdev and Fairfield by Marriott

- Kolhapur has aplenty with Opal and more

For hotels, you can look out for popular portals and take the best deicision.

[rohanak1]

Originally Posted by vivek95

5.Pune -- Satara : Good new roads all the way, 90% 6 lane roads. Pending stretches would take another year though to get completed. Lovely drive along the hills.

NHAI website claims completion in Dec. 2017 which clearly looks like not going to happen. Just check the original planned completion date as against the expected date Just goes to show the painful speed at which road projects are happening in India.

NHAI phase V - This link also shows that the entire stretch from Chitradurga to Hubli is planned to be 6-lane though no work has started yet.