[sandeep joshi]

Originally Posted by hvkumar

Bombay Bypass - South


Detailed Description

HOW TO BYPASS BOMBAY via New Bombay - from South side

Zero point is Kalamboli where the Pune- Bombay expressway ends.

Keep going towards Bombay. You will cross several flyovers through Kharghar and Belapur. Belapur can be identified by the large number of office buildings to the left (including Konkan Bhavan, Park Hotel). After Belapur, the road climbs up a hill and comes down to the other side. The traffic signal at that junction is the Uran Phata. After crossing that signal you will cross Nerul (you will see the light pillars of the DY Patil cricket stadium on your left), and you climb up a flyover after crossing Nerul.

Expressway end-Belapur, 8 kms

Ahead of the Nerul flyover, you will see a complicated flyover coming up (the Turbhe flyover). Over the flyover is Bombay(it curves away to the left). Your road is the road to Thane (marked straight)( keep to the right and avoid going on the flyover). This place is Turbhe. Keep going straight and you will reach a messy junction with a signal and then a flyover curving away to the left. Keep below the flyover to the left (flyover starts to the right) and keep going straight. SET your trip meter here, since from here (Turbhe) exactly 10 kms you have to take a turn.

Belapur-Turbhe Flyover, 7 kms

You are now going on the Thane- Belapur road - goes through industrial area. First you will cross Turbhe Railway Station (RS) on your left. You will see a few flyovers – take only the straight subway type flyovers and avoid the 2 ones which curve to your left. You will see the Reliance Dhirubhai Ambani Knowledge City (DAKC) to your right. You will cross the Rabale and Kopar Khairne RS to your left.

10 kms from Turbhe, the road goes down into a subway (DO NOT Take the flyover going straight to Thane) and in the subway, turn left. This is Airoli, and the subway (after you turn left) goes under the railway line. The left turn will be marked for MULUND.

Turbhe-Airoli, 10 kms

Keep going on this road ( the Airoli Bridge road) and you will cross the Thane Creek (1 km bridge), at the end of which there is a toll gate (Rs 30). Followed by an octroi gate.

You will hit the Eastern Expressway (EEH) - flyover going from left to right. Left goes to Ghakopar/Bombay, straight to Mulund, and you turn right towards Thane. Down this road after 1 km is a flyover after which is a toll gate (Rs 30). After the toll gate, you will see trucks line up at another octroi gate and a stone tower, indicating that you have left Bombay and entered Thane. The road goes up a slope and when you come down that slope you see a flyover. Go over the flyover. 1 km down the road around a long curve, you will see another flyover - go on it - and this is a 1.5 km elevated road.

After you come down this long flyover (you will see ITC Fortune Hotel & Jupiter Hospital to your left and Hotel Lerida to your right), you will see yet another flyover - sign boards saying Nasik/ Ghodbunder (on flyover).Take this flyover but once up, take the road curving to the LEFT (right goes off to Nashik, left goes to Ghodbunder) - and when you come down the flyover through the left ramp, you are in the Ghodbunder road. You will see the Cinemax multiplex on your left, Vihang hotel on your right.

Go on this road 16 kms and you will reach the NH8 junction at Ghodbunder (immediately after a toll gate - Rs 20), which is after you climb up and down a small ghat. Some flyovers under construction on this road.

At the NH8 junction, turn right (left goes to Dahisar/Bombay) and it is all the way.

To avoid the mess of all this flyovers and various signals , traffic , i prefer below route to reach NH8 from Pune expressway.
For a new person it is always a question whether my turn is missed by using a flyover, whether i should use this flyover or not.

Pune expressway-->Exit at kalmoboli junction-->Shilphata Road-->Shilphata-->Mumbra bypass-->New Mumbai-Nasik Express way(Take Right For 3-4 kms)-->Take left at Mankoli-->Mankoli-Dapode Road-->Hit at Old Mumbai-agra road and take right (only For 1 km)--->Take left at Anjur Phata-->Chinchoti-Anjur phata road-->NH 8 chinchoti Toll plaza

By using this way , all flyovers ,signals and Thane , Ghodbunder Road is bypassed. Only problem is number of speedbreakers on Kalyan-Shilphata road, mumbra bypass and chinchoti-anjur phata road.
Road condition throughout from kalmboli junction till chinchoti toll plaza is good. Majority is 4 lane with dividers in place.

Traffic is moderate , Majority trucks on mumbra bypass and on Chinchoti-Anjur phata road.

[JoshMachine]

Originally Posted by suniladhiya

I just returned yesterday from a trip to Vadodara. The new bridge over the Narmada River is fully operational and there are no issues - no reason now to go into Bharuch via the Golden Bridge.

The issue now is the ongoing repairs to the Ghodbunder bridge. The old bridge is under major repair and traffic is being allowed by turns of 10-15 minutes in each direction on the new bridge. So depending on traffic density you can expect holdups of 15-30 mins in either direction. From the looks of it, it should take another 6 months at least for the repairs to get over.

Do post your travel experience after your return. Have a safe trip

Is the Golden Bridge still operational, by the way?

[suniladhiya]

Originally Posted by JoshMachine

Is the Golden Bridge still operational, by the way?

Yes it would be open. There is no reason for it not to be operational because even if the highway traffic uses the new bridge, there are inlnumerable local vehicles traversing between the twin towns of Ankleshwar and Bharuch and they all use the Golden Bridge. Incidentally if you use the Golden Bridge you can buy the famous Bharuch peanuts in Bharuch town if you are so inclined - i used to gorge on them at one time.

[JoshMachine]

Thanks.
So do you recommend to use the new bridge instead of the golden bridge? How much time do you estimate it will take via the new bridge vis-a-vis golden bridge?
Am planning a trip to Baroda from Pune next month, hence bothering with you all the queries

[mpksuhas]

Guys -

1. What will be the time taken from Pune side entry of expressway to Kalamboli junction.
2. From Kalamboli junction, if one is taking the routes to bye-pass Mumbai as mentioned in earlier posts, how long will it take till Vapi bye-pass
3. Vapi - Ahmedabad drive time.

[zalaps]

Originally Posted by JoshMachine

Thanks.
So do you recommend to use the new bridge instead of the golden bridge? How much time do you estimate it will take via the new bridge vis-a-vis golden bridge?

I do Vapi-Ahmedabad once a month.
Both options separates at Ankleshwer & unites at Hotel Nyay-Mandir Bridge.

Via NH8
Length is 19 KMs. If bridge is traffic free, it will take 15 minutes to cross. But more or less you will encounter traffic on this route. Over the time I've realized that this option is like investing in high risk shares. If it works you'll be richer(crossing in only 15 mins), if not then you'll lose your entire money(spending 30-45 minutes).

Via Golden Bridge
Length is 16 KMs. Yes 3 KMs less then NH8. Usually it takes 20-25 minutes to cross this stretch. Initial 3 KMs is in bad shape(till last week). After words it's smooth 4 lanes till bridge. Bridge is narrow, so it cuts down speeds to 20Km. After bridge you can maintain 40-60KM till you reach NH8 again. For me it is like investing in Govt bonds. You will never lose entire money(dead block road), you'll always earn respectable returns(25 mins to cross)!

I prefer Golden bridge.

Originally Posted by mpksuhas

Guys -

1. What will be the time taken from Pune side entry of expressway to Kalamboli junction.
2. From Kalamboli junction, if one is taking the routes to bye-pass Mumbai as mentioned in earlier posts, how long will it take till Vapi bye-pass
3. Vapi - Ahmedabad drive time.

I'll break journey in following way:
1. Expressway - Kalamboli: That's exactly 100 KM. I used to cover it in 80 mins. Not flooring the pedal!
2. Kalamboli - Fountain Hotel, Ghodbundar: 50 KM. Should take 75 mins in off peak hours. peak hours will take 90 mins.
3. Ghodbundar - Navsari: 210 KM. Negligible urban traffic. Ideal cruising speed is 80-90 KM. Should take 2.5 Hours.
4. Navsari - Narmada End: 95 KM. This has moderate urban traffic as it will pass by Navsari - Surat - Ankleshwar industrial belt. Be careful. About 15 KM in this stretch is 4 lane. Rest is 6 lane. Best case should be 1.5 Hrs. Worst will be 2 hours.
5. Narmada End - Ahmedabad Expressway End: 180 KM. Initial 90 is NH8 will be an easy affair. will cost 1.5 Hours. Later 90 is NE1 that'll cost flat 60 Mins. So total 2.5 Hours.

I think total comes at 630 KM @ 9 hours without breaks.

Following are good options for breaks. They are ordered from Pune - Ahmedabad:
1. Kamat @ Manor
2. McDonalds Just after Vapi
3. Sugar n Spice Just after Valsad
4. McDonalds @ Kadodara (Surat Bypass)
5. If you love chocolates then There's factory outlet of newly launched Schmitten's @ Kosamba. Kosamba comes exactly 20 KM after Kamrej(Surat) tollbooth.
6. Nyay Mandir - after crossing Narmada bridge.

According to me, If you have missed/passed all above options & still if you feel that you will require break before reaching Ahmedabad then following is a last good option:

7. Honest - Just after Karjan Tollbooth. You should get Dominoes, Subways, Baskins here.

P.S: I'm Mad.
P.P.S: I'm not having work @ office.
P.P.P.S: I don't drive above 90 KMPH on NH8. It's Risky!
P.P.P.P.S: I aspire to start an thread for Pune - Ahmedabad travelers.

[mpksuhas]

Originally Posted by zalaps

P.P.P.P.S: I aspire to start an thread for Pune - Ahmedabad travelers.

Thanks a ton for the detailed post.

Can you suggest any fuel bunks enroute?

For Pune - Ahmedabad there is a thread (Bangalore - Pune - Ahmedabad), link.

[JoshMachine]

As mentioned earlier, am starting on the Pune-Vadodara-Pune journey on 02 Oct.
ETD to be approx 0530 hrs from Warje, Pune.

Just a quick request check - hope the road conditions are fairly unchanged as posted by some of the members in the recent past on this thread for the Pune-Vadodara leg??

Also, as suggested above, will try the new Narmada bridge this time while crossing/bypassing Ankleshwar.

[Fastrack21]

Hi guys,

Glad to come across this thread. I'll be travelling to Rajkot from Mumbai next week. I am planning to take the western expressway NH8 highway in the wee hours of morning so hoping to avoid the Godbhunder road traffic. Thereafter as per the suggestions above thinking of taking the bypass from Ankleshwar to Bharuch rather than the Golden bridge. Further-on I believe the route is a no-brainer and the roads are pretty smooth from Vadodra to Ahm'bad to Rajkot.

This would be my first such long trip so will really appreciate if some of you may suggest how to best prepare for the drive. Things to check in the car and what to do in case of any troublesome situation. I will be driving my 4 month old GrandI10. I plan to keep the towing service number (just in case) Is there a standard number or you call your manufacturer service center (In my case Hyundai). Moreover I believe there must be plenty of gas stations en-route so not worried on that front.

Somewhr I read that you need to put a yellow sticker on your car before entering Guj, is that true?

Thanks everyone in the forum. Your knowledge and experience has been a lot help in planning the trip.

[zalaps]

Originally Posted by Fastrack21

Hi guys,
Moreover I believe there must be plenty of gas stations en-route so not worried on that front.

Oh... you found this thread! I replied on other one.

Regarding Fuel:
1. Expressway do not have Petrol Pumps. Only one option is Reliance Pump @ Ahmedabad end of it. Although they supply fuel. But I do not depend blindly on them.
2. If yours is a Petrol car then be advised of non-availability of petrol on all pumps of Vadodara Bypass. Reason is its all diesel(truck) market.
3. Best is to fill tank after crossing Narmada. Avoid fueling plans in below shown map.

[khoj]

Hey zalaps, I used to be a frequent driver on this stretch some years ago and filled up Petrol from this Reliance pump every time ( It has been 2 years since my last drive on that stretch as I now prefer the Chittorgarh-Nasik-Bombay route). In fact this used to be my planned second fuel stop before tanking up again in Udaipur. This is also favoured by truckers going towards the Ahmedabad Pali road, so Diesel must be good too. However on the flip side I have never liked the Reliance pump on the return side, don't know why but the vibes from that entrée complex are negative.

Again on the Bharuch - Baroda stretch a very good pump is the BPCL COCO pump at Luwara, as one comes out of the longish right handed sweep there is a sparkling white Gurudwara on the Right hand side and the pump is across the road on the driving side (LHS). Used to be my favoured first fuel stop after leaving Bombay.

Originally Posted by zalaps

Oh... you found this thread! I replied on other one.

Regarding Fuel:
1. Expressway do not have Petrol Pumps. Only one option is Reliance Pump @ Ahmedabad end of it. Although they supply fuel. But I do not depend blindly on them.
2. If yours is a Petrol car then be advised of non-availability of petrol on all pumps of Vadodara Bypass. Reason is its all diesel(truck) market.
3. Best is to fill tank after crossing Narmada. Avoid fueling plans in below shown map.

[mpksuhas]

Originally Posted by khoj

Again on the Bharuch - Baroda stretch a very good pump is the BPCL COCO pump at Luwara, as one comes out of the longish right handed sweep there is a sparkling white Gurudwara on the Right hand side and the pump is across the road on the driving side (LHS).

Hi Kjoj,
Guess this is the bunk you were saying of. Though it is not listed on Google maps, it is visible in satellite view here.

[khoj]

Spot On, mpksuhas

Originally Posted by mpksuhas

Hi Kjoj,
Guess this is the bunk you were saying of. Though it is not listed on Google maps, it is visible in satellite view here.

[amyth78]

Hi All,

I am planning for a road trip from Pune to Rajkot on 22nd January, 2015. I have never done this before and this will be my first road trip to Gujarat. Could anyone please advise me on the following:

1. Which will be the shortest and fastest route to reach Rajkot from Pune? Do I have to go via Ahmedabad? Google map shows route to Rajkot via Ahmedabad.

2. Any idea on road condition?

3. Things to take care of while driving through this route.

I am driving my XUV with one of my colleague. Plan is to leave early morning from Pune on 22nd and reach Rajkot same day evening, finish one day work at Rajkot on 23rd and return to Pune on 24th.

Please let me know your advises and recommendations on route.

Thanks!

Amyth78

[ranjitp1]

Originally Posted by amyth78

Hi All,


1. Which will be the shortest and fastest route to reach Rajkot from Pune? Do I have to go via Ahmedabad? Google map shows route to Rajkot via Ahmedabad.

I would stick to the Ahmedabad Ring Road and then one straight road via Bagodara all the way to Rajkot.Last hear the Vasad-Borsad-Dharmaj-Bagodara is bumpy.If this condition has improved then you could take this and join the NH8A at Bagodara.

Originally Posted by amyth78

I am driving my XUV with one of my colleague. Plan is to leave early morning from Pune on 22nd and reach Rajkot same day evening, finish one day work at Rajkot on 23rd and return to Pune on 24th.

Its going to be one long drive.Drive safe.