[vivek95]

Originally Posted by Bangalorean

Does anyone know the latest w.r.t. the conditions in North Karnataka and West MH?

NH4 is currently open all the way from Mumbai-Pune to Bangalore. My friends did Mumbai to Kolhapur yesterday without any hassles. Needless to say the traffic in Maharashtra was high.

[lazybird]

Originally Posted by Bangalorean

Does anyone know the latest w.r.t. the conditions in North Karnataka and West MH?

Just completed a Shirdi trip from Bangalore-Pune-Shirdi-Solapur-Vijaypura-Bangalore between Aug-15 to Aug-18. The Bangalore-Pune road is cleared and very much derivable.

[Bangalorean]

Even I have done this stretch yesterday (Bangalore - Mumbai) - and the roads are 100% clear, no flood issues and no water issues. Commendable job by the authorities having cleared up stuff so soon!!

[GrandTourer]

Hi,

Is anyone planning to drive down from Mumbai to Bangalore in Oct, around 8-12th? I am going to be driving solo, so would appreciate if I have company of other cars alongside.

Let me know.

Regards,
Taleef

[vivek95]

I drove from Mumbai to Belgaum yesterday and below are updates on road conditions post the floods. The entire 500 km journey was highly scenic, more so in Maharashtra.

1. Mumbai--Pune Expressway - remains top class. Experienced very heavy rains here.

2. NH4 Pune city bypass :- all good, very heavy rains here as well. I had to enter Pune city towards Katraj for a quick personal work, hence took old Katraj ghat and old tunnel this time to get back to NH4. Old Katraj ghat is newly laid and superb.


3. Pune -- Satara :- The road is intermittently bad upto Shirwal. All the 4 diversions are badly damaged in these rains. Shirwal onwards the road for most part is good but there are many superficial potholes strewn around that you can easily dodge in daylight. Deep potholes over some 2 or 3 curves at Khambatki ghat. Overall this stretch is just about average to good but the poor quality of road construction is evident.

4. Satara--Karad--Kolhapur :- Despite battering by heavy rains and floods, this sector remains in absolute supersmooth condition. Even at places where the highway had experienced worst flooding, it remains in very good condition. ( I am not sure of the opposite carriageway. Will update when I drive back to Bombay soon )

5. Kolhapur--Belgaum :- Supersmooth bliss as always. Only those 2 bridges where the rivers had overflown are damaged with deep potholes.


Some pics of yesterday's journey :-

Old Katraj ghat, Pune. This is how beautifully you are welcomed at Pune




















Khambatki ghat





Yours truly

[narayans80]

So is Bangalore-Pune still doable in under 12 hours? Or has the incessant rains taken a toll.

[paragsachania]

Originally Posted by narayans80

So is Bangalore-Pune still doable in under 12 hours? Or has the incessant rains taken a toll.

I don't think the rains have ruined it to the extent that it will massively add to your overall times. It is the 6 lane work which certainly will add to the overall times, today.

[narayans80]

Originally Posted by paragsachania

It is the 6 lane work which certainly will add to the overall times, today.

Chitradurga-Hubli 6-laning hasn't dented my timings much, based on what I experienced in December and June. Even though the latter had significantly more start-stop traffic than the former attempt.

[paragsachania]

Originally Posted by narayans80

Chitradurga-Hubli 6-laning hasn't dented my timings much, based on what I experienced in December and June. Even though the latter had significantly more start-stop traffic than the former attempt.

This alone adds to the overall timing.

For few of us who drive really odd hours and pass these sections, it really won't but for most who start at even 5AM, it will certainly add extra time. The diversions too have increased in the last month.

[vivek95]

Originally Posted by vivek95

Will update when I drive back to Bombay soon )

And I drove back from Belgaum to Bombay on Sunday 25th Aug'19.

Belgaum to Kolhapur and Pune--Mumbai Expressway were super awesome as always.

The tarmac from Kolhapur to Satara remains in absolutely brilliant condition too despite all the heavy rains and floods.

Satara to Pune is excellent for 90% of its part, remaining 10% is patchy and rough. Overall, the journey was hassle free. Encountered very heavy traffic from Shirwal onwards to Pune to Mumbai. And then there were insane rains on the Expressway.

[createrkid]

What is the condition of the bangalore mumbai route. Will be leaving tomorrow. Wanted to know if rains are causing any havoc or not.

[condor]

Originally Posted by createrkid

What is the condition of the bangalore mumbai route. Will be leaving tomorrow. Wanted to know if rains are causing any havoc or not.

As mentioned in the recent posts - all good. There are some diversions between Chitradurga and Hubli due to new fly-overs and road expansion. This will add to travel time, but nothing to worry all the way - except for usual traffic conditions.

[ram87pune]

Dear all,

I am going to be driving down from Pune to Bangalore on 2nd of November. Its going to be me,my wife and our 3 year old daughter. I will be splitting the journey in two and plan to halt for the night at hubli on 2nd and then carry on towards Bangalore on 3rd. I have shortlisted hotel tara emerald in hubli. Any reviews on the same?

Also I am planning to leave for Bangalore on the 3rd leisurely say at around 12 pm. Please suggest good eateries along the way where I can make a pitstop for lunch and evening snacks.Thanks in advance.

[narayans80]

Originally Posted by ram87pune

Also I am planning to leave for Bangalore on the 3rd leisurely say at around 12 pm. Please suggest good eateries along the way where I can make a pitstop for lunch and evening snacks.Thanks in advance.

Sai Park Inn past Khed toll. You should be here about 130-200 pm. You should be at Sugar and Spice just past Hubli Circle at sundown

With a noon start I would suggest to cross Kolhapur by 4 for a peaceful drive.

[ram87pune]

Originally Posted by narayans80

Sai Park Inn past Khed toll. You should be here about 130-200 pm. You should be at Sugar and Spice just past Hubli Circle at sundown

With a noon start I would suggest to cross Kolhapur by 4 for a peaceful drive.

Thanks for the reply Narayan. I think you didn't read my post fully.

I am splitting the journey in two and will be leaving Hubli on 3rd at 12pm. So please suggest me where I can have lunch and evening snacks between Hubli and Bangalore. Thanks in advance.