[Rajesh K R]

Originally Posted by Hayek

As others have mentioned, the fastest route to JVPD scheme is via the Vashi Bridge, followed by Ghatkopar Mankhurd Link Road, and the Santacruz Chembur Link Road. If you want to experience the Atal Setu on the way back, enter the Eastern Freeway from Ghatkopar Mankhurd Link Road, and then take the ramp (clearly posted) to the Atal Setu. Will take about 20 minutes more but is arguably a much nicer drive.

Yes sir, have been doing the route via Vashi Bridge on our last 3 drives from BLR- Mumbai.. This time since the Atal setu is operational, thought of going via this route, hence the query.

[chhotagujju]

Hello all,

I will be driving to Pune from Bengaluru next week. Since i stay in whitefield, planning to take the STRR and get onto NH4. Looking at all the posts in last few months, there seems to be lot of work going on NH4 and seems to be a mess. However, I need to go to the western part of Pune, so Solapur route might become a trouble as i will have to cross the entire city through traffic.

However, if i take the Vijayapura to Satara route, i would like to know how is the road condition in terms of safety since i will be travelling with my wife and daughter. Do we have good rest stops or incase of emergencies like a tire burst or anything can we get backup on this route ? Inputs from those who travelled recently would help.

I usually do the Bengaluru - Pune - Bengaluru drive once every year since last 6 years and have always used NH4. So a bit confused whether to use the alternate option or continue along NH4 only.

[BulletRider]

Hello,

Will be doing Sirsi-Hubli-Pune trip next week. Should I take

1. Sirsi - Hubli - Vijayapura -Solapur -Pune
Or
2. Sirsi - Hubli - Vijayapura - Jath - Vita - Satara - Pune

I want to avoid the OG NH4 as far as possible. And I stay near Katraj. I will be traveling with my wife.

Any recommendations ?

[Ays7]

Originally Posted by ghodlur

Thanks for the updates, this helps for my forthcoming trip. Couple of queries:

The road does pass through Vita, and it did look like a good sized town, so may be you do get lucky on food options there.

I did not find any toll from Vijaypura - Jath. On the whole, the Toll is significantly lower on this route - flip side, Single lane roads.

[ghodlur]

Update:

I completed the Bangalore Pune run yesterday and route was Bangalore- Chitradurga-Vijaypura-Tikota-Jath-Nagaj-Vita-Rahimatpur-Satara-Pune. The total distance covered was 893 kms and it took me 13 hrs to complete the trip. Started at 4.15 am from Devanahalli Bangalore and reached Sinhagad road Pune at 5 pm. This is an hour more than the usual when I used to take the NH 48 route and 53 kms extra as well. Let me update section wise:

1. Devanahalli-Dabaspet-Chitradurga-Anand Vihar via NH50:
The STRR section from Devanahalli to Dabaspete is a dream strecth for any driver, 4 laned roads, empty traffic good to gather the speeds. Traffic in Tumkur put me back by 15 mins due to the wind mill blade transportation stuck at a junction. Reached Anand Vihar around 7.30 am just to be surprised to find it closed. Checked google, found it to open around 10.30 am. So this is not going to be a pit stop in future when using NH50. Halted there for a body stretch for 15 odd mins

2. Anandvihar - Nandagokula - Jio BP halt:
I remembered someone recommending Nandagokula restaurant at Kushtagi, so the next stop was set and reached in 2 hrs. Had breakfast break of 20 mins and reached Jio BP fuel station at Sindagi for a refuel. Another 15 min break. There is place after Hitnal toll plaza where there was a village fair right on NH50 occupying all the 4 lanes for selling live stock, food grains and what not. It took a good 20 mins to get the people squatting on the highway to make way for the traffic. Aboslutely pathetic state of affairs. Add to this this unmarked speed breakers do take by surprise, I happened to go over on at good speeds, was alert during the rest of stretch

3. Vijaypura-Tikota-Jath-Nagaj-Vita:
Vijyapura city traffic slowed me down a bit but run till Tikota covered it, roads are single laned and due to less traffic was able to gather speeds. From Tikota the pain starts till Kanmadi, total broken roads and bare earth. The amount of dust while driving this section would surely affect the air filters. This section is absolutely a big no for a sedan due to low GC, sure to scrape the bottom at many places. After Kanmadi the concrete road section starts again a single lane road but a bit wider with a road shoulder area advantage. This runs till Jath and further till Nagaj. Can make up speeds if the traffic is sparse. From Nagaj till Vita its again single lane concreate and tar roads in patches but drivable. There are 2 mini ghats in the section from Nagaj to Vita and roads are somewhat broken. Sharp turns in some places, speeds cannot go more than 40.

4. Vita-Rahimatpur-Satara:
Again a single laned tar road but good surface in most of the stretch, some places slightly broken roads. There are some twisties and some real sharp turns in the stretch. Distance can be covered up based on traffic. Watch out for the speed breaker, fortunately clearly marked at every village entry/exit.

5. Satara-Pune:
6 laned road but the heavy monsoon effect is seen with some big potholes appearing suddenly. There are 2 diversion in this stretch and the diversion road is actually looking like a moon surface.

Conclusion: The Vijaypura-Vita-Satara route can be taken if driving solo but dont recommend this route for family drives. The Vijapura-Solapur-Pune route is far better for availability of eateries, 4 laned road even if one has to cut through Pune traffic to reach NH48. Would I take this route while returning from Pune, I don't think so. I will stick to NH48 even if the diversion are frustrating.

Finally the stats for the trip. Cruise control saved my right leg considerably. The ventilated seat is indeed a boon for long drives.

[Rajesh K R]

@ghodlur: thank you for the detailed review.

I have an upcoming drive from BLR-Mumbai during Oct 3rd week. I will be driving an Elite i20 and i think it will be uncomfortable in the mud road parts.

Am looking at an option of taking Vijayapura-Pandharpur-Satara.. maybe another 30-40 kms extra, but the roads look good in G-maps street view. Not sure how it is now. anyone taken this route recently?

I have done BLR-Mum about 3 times on the regular NH48, but do yousuggest would it be better to take that inspite of the diversions/constructions?

[Selective]

Originally Posted by BulletRider

1. Sirsi - Hubli - Vijayapura -Solapur -Pune
Or
2. Sirsi - Hubli - Vijayapura - Jath - Vita - Satara - Pune

BulletRider, from Hubli, Vijayapura route is not efficient. I dont think it will save you any time. And it is very long detour which doesn't make sense (to me). If you want to avoid the stretches under construction, you can try the route below route:

Sirsi-Hubli-Belagavi-Sankeshwar-Chikodi-Sangli-Vita-Satara. (You will still have few under construction patches between Belagavi and Sankeshwar)

The above route is strictly two lane road and I have observed increased truck traffic (probably due to under construction NH-4), which may slow you down. And, I don't know the road conditions after the rains.

I don't know how bad NH-4 is between Sankeshwar and Karad. If it is tolerable, you can still stick to this route.

[BulletRider]

Originally Posted by Selective

BulletRider, from Hubli, Vijayapura route is not efficient. I dont think it will save you any time. And it is very long detour which doesn't make sense (to me). If you want to avoid the stretches under construction, you can try the route below route:

Thank you! What you say makes sense. Will take the sankeshwar route. From what I have heard, the construction is still on in the old NH4 route.

[travelhead]

My sister's family travelled from Pune to Nipani last week. Apparently the diversions which were full of potholes are in better shape now compared to July. Looks like diversions are still there with good tarmac. If anyone did the same route recently, may confirm.

[Maverick']

Doing Pune-Bangalore on 03 Oct 24. Have done multiple trips in past, all through NH48. This time though very confused. Had done Mudhol-Tasgaon-Karad last month and the roads were'nt good. Would have preferred Mudhol-Nipani-Kolhapur-Karad. Any latest update on Karad-Tasgaon-Chikodi-Belgaum stretch.

[hsprabhu]

What is the best route for Shimoga to Mumbai?

1. Shimoga - Belgaum - Pune - Mumbai. Have to endure the detour post Belgaum on this NH48 route
2. Shimoga - Hospete - Bijapur - Solapur - Pune - Mumbai - Dont know the road condition between Shimoga and Hosapete. This route is 120 kms longer than the first one.

[Selective]

Quick update on road condition between Bangalore and Vijaypura. When I travelled on this route a month ago, there was a stretch between Nidagundi and Vijayapura with many potholes. Most of them are properly fixed now except a small stretch approaching Nidagundi town.

Folks travelling towards Bangalore from Vijayapura, remember NIDAGUNDI. This is where you encounter the first bone jarring series of road humps. After Vijayapura road is smooth, it is natural to drive fast and miss to notice this. Please make a mental note of this. These road humps are badly designed and really dangerous for your car.

[Rambo65]

Originally Posted by chhotagujju

Hello all,

I will be driving to Pune from Bengaluru next week. Since i stay in whitefield, planning to take the STRR and get onto NH4. Looking at all the posts in last few months, there seems to be lot of work going on NH4 and seems to be a mess. However, I need to go to the western part of Pune, so Solapur route might become a trouble as i will have to cross the entire city through traffic.

However, if i take the Vijayapura to Satara route, i would like to know how is the road condition in terms of safety since i will be travelling with my wife and daughter. Do we have good rest stops or incase of emergencies like a tire burst or anything can we get backup on this route ? Inputs from those who travelled recently would help.

I usually do the Bengaluru - Pune - Bengaluru drive once every year since last 6 years and have always used NH4. So a bit confused whether to use the alternate option or continue along NH4 only.

Hi, I drove from Marthahalli (in BLR) to Pune on Oct 2. Better to plan timing so as to avoid the Peenya traffic jam. Once you clear Peenya, it is a nice drive. I took the Vijaypura-Jath-Vita-Satara route. Upto Vijaypura it is excellent road (except some road humps between Hospet and Ilkal). As far as breakdown facilities Jath and Vita are reasonably equipped towns, should you have an unfortunate malfunction / flat tyre etc. in between, the options are very less; so check spare tyre condition etc. Tank up before the Vijaypura-Jath road. As far as eateries are concerned, when you take the Vijaupura - Jath road, within 6 Kms, there is a junction where there is a fairly large Udupi joint for breakfast or lunch as the case may be.

However, like someone else posted, this route has a couple of small hills to climb and get down and hence better to avoid night driving; also remember that the entire stretch is single road with no divider (SH and not NH). Overall the road condition is good, except some road work before Jath and a small patch just after Jath. You can average about 60kmph until Satara. Forget about "Cruise mode" due to single road and many blind turns. Enjoy your drive!

[Rambo65]

Originally Posted by Maverick'

Doing Pune-Bangalore on 03 Oct 24. Have done multiple trips in past, all through NH48. This time though very confused. Had done Mudhol-Tasgaon-Karad last month and the roads were'nt good. Would have preferred Mudhol-Nipani-Kolhapur-Karad. Any latest update on Karad-Tasgaon-Chikodi-Belgaum stretch.

Hi Maverick, see my earlier post. I did Pune - BLR on 25 Sep and return on 2 oct. Onward, I took, Pune-Solapur-Vijaypura-TB Dam - Chitradurga- Tumkur - BLR mainly based on the "not-so-encouraging" posts about the status of the Pune-Kolhapur-Blegaum route. I can tell you that I cannot thank this forum enough for this advice. The Solapur route was such a breeze and considering that it was my "Maiden, solo" drive, I enjoyed it so much (of course, I did not do any night driving and stayed at KSTDC Maurya at TB Dam for the night). Pune - TB Dam (approx. 580 km) I did in 12 hrs (including total 3 hrs for visit to Golgumbaz, and b'fast and lunch halts). So, unless you wish to explore newer routes, my suggestion would be to go by the tried and tested one! (P.S.: I a assuming here that your objective is also not to go fm Point A to B in a fixed time) Enjoy the drive!

[Awaz]

Originally Posted by hsprabhu

What is the best route for Shimoga to Mumbai?

1. Shimoga - Belgaum - Pune - Mumbai. Have to endure the detour post Belgaum on this NH48 route
2. Shimoga - Hospete - Bijapur - Solapur - Pune - Mumbai - Dont know the road condition between Shimoga and Hosapete. This route is 120 kms longer than the first one.

I would recommend go with Belgaum - Pune route as you are not going to gain much via Bijapur option. You have to account for the detour and if needed take a break journey.

One option suggested by a relative in Belgaum was to take the Gotur bridge - Chikodi (NH 160) - Tasgaon - Karad (NH 266) - Satara route. This could be single lane stretch. This could be peaceful, low traffic but will cost you same or an hour more than the NH48 stretch inspite of detours.