[hvkumar]

Originally Posted by suniladhiya

Forgive my ignorance, but are the traffic jams on the new bridge because its under construction, or is this a standard feature?

There are twin bridges across the River Narmada on the Ankleshwar-Bharuch bypass. The northward one is open , but the southward one is closed for over a year now, presumably because it has gone weak and cannot take loaded trucks (it is open to light vehicles going in the north-south direction though). It is embarassing that the Golden Bridge built in the year 1881 is fine but 1 of 2 new bridges is already gone! I have not seen any repairs, reconstruction or new bridge construction going on and the entire truck traffic on both directions is squeezed into one narrow 2-laned bridge from the 6-lanes they were travelling in so far. Hence the jam at all times of day and night. The north-south bridge is a little better because the light vehciles manage to slip in through the discarded 2nd bridge.

Here is the Google Maps rendition of that route:
NH 8 to NH 8 - Google Maps

Secondly, you have advised to enter Bharuch town via Golden Gate Bridge and go past the Bharuch Railway Station till you come to a T-Junction at which a right turn to be taken towards NH8. As per google maps, is this road the one that goes past JP Arts and Science College, MK College of Commerce and KJ Polytechnic College (all on RHS) and then take the next right turn towards NH8 ? And after the right turn, do you pass ABC Bearings Ltd on the RHS, and then Narmada Golf Links on LHS, on the way to NH8 ?

Here is the Google Maps rendition of the route:
NH 8 to SH 76 - Google Maps

You will get off NH8 at the first point which shows entry into Ankleshwar town - the flyover takes you on NH8 bypass bypassing the town (avoid that).

You go past the Ankleshwar town and cross on the Golden Bridge. Immediately on crossing you will see the Bharuch railway station to your left.

Some distance away is the first round which is to be ignored.

After this, it is pretty plain road without any congestion - I have never noticed any prominent landmarks - till you reach the first big junction which is where you take the right (I think this is the Bharuch-Dahej road). Yes, I think you cross the bearings factory and the Golf Course (noticed that only now in the map).

Finally, on the return from Bharuch side, some of the members have advised to go on the wrong side of the road and follow the local cars onto the Golden Bridge. How does this work and where does one cut through the median on NH8 in order to enter Bharuch town and onto the Golden Bridge ? I am confused because I dont see any underpass at the junction of the NH8 with the Narmada Golf Links Road, and I dont see how you can get on the wrong side of the NH?

Would greatly appreciate your detailed inputs on the above.

Actually, light cars take the wrong side on the Ankleshwar-Bharuch direction (south-north) and not the other way round since the north0-south bridge is open for light vehicles anyway. I would advise you not to do this because cops are known to nab out-of-state vehicles doing it (even though locals get away with it). Besides, it si also not easy to cut across the traffic coming from the other side just before the bridge (since you have to still use the south-north bridge only).

When you are coming from the north side form Baroda, just as you approach Bharuch, you will see the giant fertiliser factory on your right (next to the Golf Course). Keep to the extreme left and go below the flyover and turn right and follow the same route in reverse.

[suniladhiya]

@ Kumar: Thanks a ton. Just one question: While coming from Baroda side, would it not make sense to take the new bridge which is still open for light vehicles, rather than getting into Bharuch town again ?

Also, when coming from Pune to Ghodbunder, I have followed your directions upto EEH, but can you point out the landmark at which one would leave the EEH and get onto Ghodbunder Road. Thanks in advance.

[hvkumar]

Originally Posted by suniladhiya

@ Kumar: Thanks a ton. Just one question: While coming from Baroda side, would it not make sense to take the new bridge which is still open for light vehicles, rather than getting into Bharuch town again ?

Also, when coming from Pune to Ghodbunder, I have followed your directions upto EEH, but can you point out the landmark at which one would leave the EEH and get onto Ghodbunder Road. Thanks in advance.

Sometimes, the traffic jams before the bridge (north side) can be so bad that the roads are all choked up even before the Bharuch town flyover. You will have to crawl to reach the Narmada bridge. That is why I advocated extreme left lane so that you care able to go below the flyover in case you see a jam. Keeping to the right lane means you get swept onto the flyover and will be unable to take the extreme left lane to go on the light vehicle bridge.

After entering EEH from Airoli bridge, landmarks are as follows:
Toll Gate
Octroi naka of Mumbai-Thane
Railway Overbridge
First short flyover
Second 2.5 km long flyover/elevated road
Avoid third flyover and take the road below which curves to the left, another flyover construction in progress, and you are in GHodbunder Road

[suniladhiya]

@Kumar: Thanks again. I think all the doubts are now set at rest. I shall definitely follow your advice with respect to Ankleshwar Bridge and EEH.

Now one more query, if I want to enter into Baroda city and go towards Alkapuri side, I presume this would be on the left side of NH8, while coming from Mumbai side. In that case, would I need to take the very first exit from the bypass? Are the exits clearly marked or does one need to keep a lookout for some landmark in order to time the exit properly ?

[hvkumar]

Originally Posted by suniladhiya

Now one more query, if I want to enter into Baroda city and go towards Alkapuri side, I presume this would be on the left side of NH8, while coming from Mumbai side. In that case, would I need to take the very first exit from the bypass? Are the exits clearly marked or does one need to keep a lookout for some landmark in order to time the exit properly ?

Although I am not familiar with Baroda, I can see from the map that the best route to get to Alakapuri would be to take the same entry point (after Hotel Plazio_ - and the one just before the expressway starts - and go to Alakapuri which comes after Fatehganj. The first entry point (from south side) will mean wading through most of the city on not-so-direct roads.

Here is the GMaps of the route:
http://g.co/maps/bbwqm

[suniladhiya]

Kumar, your replies are incredible. Thanks for all the effort put in by you for chalking out the route on the g-map.

[lightinin95]

Originally Posted by suniladhiya

@Kumar: Thanks again. I think all the doubts are now set at rest. I shall definitely follow your advice with respect to Ankleshwar Bridge and EEH.

Now one more query, if I want to enter into Baroda city and go towards Alkapuri side, I presume this would be on the left side of NH8, while coming from Mumbai side. In that case, would I need to take the very first exit from the bypass? Are the exits clearly marked or does one need to keep a lookout for some landmark in order to time the exit properly ?

Hi Sunil,

Construction of some bridges in Vadodara means there are still some bottlenecks while entring into Vadodara from its southern or eastern limits. Let me guide you.
As you near Vadodara after Por, you will see a large high voltage substation of GEB (now GETCO) at Jambuva on the right. A bridge over the small Jambuva river follows next on which a sign clearly shows to keep left to enter Vadodara city or keep right to take the bridge - the bypass onwards to Ahmedabad / Udaipur.

Keeping to the left you will enter Vadodara city limits and keep driving straight for about 5 km untill you come to a well lit ABB circle. Turn left at this circle and keep going straight after you have crossed the railway overbridge untill you come across an under construction flyover. Keep to the left lane while going straight and you will see an flyover under construction. You will see to its left the Tata's Miles Motors showroom. Drive past it (dugup road) and take a right below the flyover to emerge out to the right side of a temporary road below the flyover. That road curls to the right and you will drive past a single line railway crossing when, a little ahead the flyover touches down near a circle. That is Akshar chowk. Take a left and the straight 6 km stretch takes you to the Bird circle which is on the race course.

Keep going straight and about 150 meters you will come to a T circle (Ambedkar statue). Turn right and you are on RC Dutt Road in Alkapuri that leads to Vadodara railway station.

Hope this helps. PM me if you want my contact details and will be happy to help.

Sameer

[suniladhiya]

@lightinin95: Thanks a ton, its incredibly helpful. One question - google maps shows a circle called "Suessen Circle" is this the same as the "ABB Circle" described by you ?

Also, Kumar advocates taking the last entry point into Baroda City, whereas you have recommended the first entry point, so am a bit confused here as to which option would result in encountering less city traffic ?

[faustus77]

Originally Posted by suniladhiya

@ Kumar: Thanks a ton. Just one question: While coming from Baroda side, would it not make sense to take the new bridge which is still open for light vehicles, rather than getting into Bharuch town again ?

Also, when coming from Pune to Ghodbunder, I have followed your directions upto EEH, but can you point out the landmark at which one would leave the EEH and get onto Ghodbunder Road. Thanks in advance.

Sunil
Hi
As suggested by HVK saar go through Bharuch / golden bridge /ankleshwar
You save on distance and toll.Depending on the time, sometimes you can drive in 2nd and 3rd gear all the way.
Keep your side view mirrors folded
Regards

[aaggoswami]

Originally Posted by suniladhiya

@lightinin95: Thanks a ton, its incredibly helpful. One question - google maps shows a circle called "Suessen Circle" is this the same as the "ABB Circle" described by you ?

Also, Kumar advocates taking the last entry point into Baroda City, whereas you have recommended the first entry point, so am a bit confused here as to which option would result in encountering less city traffic ?

Yes, Susen Circle = ABB Circle. IMHO, HVK is correct, take the last entry point. That would be best IMO. From Hotel Plazo ( very near to NE-1 ) to Fatehgunj is not at all difficult.

[suniladhiya]

Finally the much delayed trip from Pune to Vadodara materialised on 6th Feb, 2012, and returned on 10th Feb, 2012.

Thanks to incredibly precise directions from Dr.HVK, reached Ghodbunder Naka via the expressway without any need to ask for directions. Wifey was given printouts of HVK's detailed file to read out after exiting the expressway. Between Thane and Manor, at least 7-8 flyovers are under construction and travel time would be much reduced when these are completed.

As advised by Kumar Sir, I left NH8 at Ankleshwar and entered the town to go via Golden Bridge. But as luck would have it there was a massive traffic jam on the Golden Bridge itself so about 45 mins were lost here. Once on the Golden Bridge, we could discern the trucks piled up on the bypass bridge which is parallel to the right of the Golden Bridge. Wifey was taking a video of the golden bridge which apparently is prohibited so at the end of the bridge one of the cops banged on the window. Just ignored him and went ahead. I really dont see the logic behind this when the satellites have all the detailed information available !

At the last (northern most) entry point to Vadodara city, just outside Hotel Plazzio, we got stuck in another massive truck traffic jam for no apparent reason and lost another 45 mins. So in all, reached our destination at Old Padra Road in Vadodara after about 12 hours from Pune, including about 1 1/2 hrs halts for food etc.

Thanks a million to Sameer in Baroda for helping with the hotel bookings. We stayed at Hotel Siddharth Palace on Old Padra Road which was very close to the house of our relatives whom we had to visit. Rooms and service are excellent and tariffs very reasonable. Food also good, although most of the time we lunched/ dined with the relatives (naturally).

Apart from the highway drive, I made myself thoroughly familar with the major roads within Baroda, thanks to google maps. At the end of the stay, got complimented by my sis-in-law for driving like a "local" and wondering how I was able to manage the unruly Baroda traffic. My only reply was that having driven in Pune, Baroda traffic was angelic !

While leaving from Baroda, took the southern most exit point via Old Padra Road- Akshar Chowk - GIDC Makarpura and exited on to NH8 in about 15 mins. At Bharuch, again went into town and via Golden Bridge and absolutely no traffic jam this time. We were headed to Mumbai to attend a marriage, and reached Andheri in exactly 7 hrs drive time from Baroda at very sedate speeds not exceeding 95 kmph.

One new feature of highway driving which I discovered on NH8 (and sorry to say also adopted) was that on the six lane sections, the trucks drive in the center lane, and the cars overtake from both the extreme lanes !!!!

Returned to Pune via expressway on 11th Feb with very comfortable drive.

Once again thanks to all the forum members for making this first ever memorable Gujarat road trip.

[advaitlele]

Hi All,

I am starting for my much awaited journey next week. This was my dream journey but had to clear many blocks - leaves and most importantly home minister approval. Finally, it seems I can take off. So here is the plan.

Do let me know if this is feasible. Couple of queries
1. How is the old highway from Pune to Mumbai in terms of condition. I had been on that road but only till Lonavala, and it was pretty good. How is it further up?
2. Where do I end up in Mumbai thru old highway? I have to go to Sion. Never been on that road earlier.

Home to Sion - 8th March - 4pm start - 8pm end
Sion to Vadodara - 9th March - 5am start - 2pm end
Vadodara to Ahmedabad - 10th March - 5am start - 7am end

PS : Most important thing missed out. I am gliding oops. riding on my Thunderbird this time. So have to take old Pune-Mumbai highway. I guess I can take normal highway - NH-8 from Mumbai to Vadodara and Ahmedabad.

[Trueintrepid]

@advait

There's some issue with your post. I guess you copied and pasted the content from another place. There are a whole lot of HTML tags visible. I am unable to read and understand your plan.

[advaitlele]

@Trueintrepid - yes, you are right.
I copied the excel but it didnt paste properly. I have already corrected this and gave summary of the plan in the earlier post.

I have the plan for A'bad onward journey as well, but that would come as part of the travelog next month.

[hvkumar]

Originally Posted by advaitlele

Do let me know if this is feasible. Couple of queries
1. How is the old highway from Pune to Mumbai in terms of condition. I had been on that road but only till Lonavala, and it was pretty good. How is it further up?

NH4 is good, but navigating Lonavla-Khandala can be difficult if you are driving through on a weekend.

2. Where do I end up in Mumbai thru old highway? I have to go to Sion. Never been on that road earlier.

Same place where the expressway ends. Just before Panvel, you take the Panvel bypass which is part of the expressway.

PS : Most important thing missed out. I am gliding oops. riding on my Thunderbird this time. So have to take old Pune-Mumbai highway. I guess I can take normal highway - NH-8 from Mumbai to Vadodara and Ahmedabad.

NH8 between Baroda & Ahmedabad is in good condition.