Relocating from BLR to Siliguri

thebagchi · 5th March 2008, 15:24

Another option is Kharagpur - Mednipur - Ranigang (NH60)
Now enter NH2 - Ranigang -(or Mednipur - Bankura - (SH9 (wonderful but highly undocumented road)) -Durgapur Railway Station (will save 40kms)) Durgapur - Darjelling More (Panagarh) - ... enter NH34. at Moregram - Behrampur - Bad road upto Canal Feed Bridge) - Farraka ...

this Route can save you from kolkata Traffic. but will be longer.
Plus NH60 section between Kharagpur to Ranigang is little bit tension prone. but u can save 50km of travel.

Another option to avoid kolkata (i feel is the best option)

kharagpur - kolaghat - Uluberia - Kona - (dont take Vidyasagar Setu) - Take the newly formed Nivedita Setu (just besides Bally bridge) - u'll reach Barasat - (little bit of traffic upto Krishnanagar) - from Krishnanagar - Behrampur - Bad Road - Farraka

If u travel from kona to Shaktigarh - Paragarh - Darjelling more
(neither u'll be avoiding bad road) plus u'll be driving additional 120Km

Hopefully this is helpful

mapbankura.bmp (image)

through this link u can find a usable map and think about how to bypass Kolkata

meerkat · 5th March 2008, 17:12

Thanks a bunch guys, for all the information. I need to digest it all,
slowly.

hvkumar, where do I buy the maps you've mentioned ? I saw the Eicher
Bangalore map, and thought it was very comprehensive, -- didn't know
their maps are inaccurate ! I have a ttk all India road atlas (book) which
is quite small. Where can I see the detailed maps before buying ?

akroy, I'm the lone driver, -- will be driving down with my wife. I feel very
uncomfortable driving almost like a blind person at night, so will try to
finish before dusk each day (starting as early as possible).
I'll read through your travelogue. You seem to know this road very much
in detail. All the info will make more sense to me once I get hold of a
good map. I don't think I'll spend a night in Kolkata, shall try to bypass it
from a distance, if possible :-). Not that I have anything against Kolkata,
but don't like the idea of tackling the traffic (I'm not comfortable driving
in Bangalore traffic either, during peak hours). I didn't know Jessore
road is part of NH-34. It's quite congested there. Bally bridge area has
apparently improved a bit from an year back. Didn't ride the flyover yet.

thebagchi, thanks for the info. Shall try to digest it with the help of a
detailed map once I get it.

One more thing. How long would it take the movers to get to Siliguri
from BLR (should ask them I guess) ?-- That decides how long I have at
my disposal to cover the distance. The whole plan will gradually take a
more concrete shape with the information I gather with all your help.
Thanks again.

akroy · 5th March 2008, 17:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by meerkat

akroy, I'm the lone driver, -- will be driving down with my wife. I feel very
uncomfortable driving almost like a blind person at night, so will try to
finish before dusk each day (starting as early as possible).

here is the travelogue link:
http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/travel...e-kolkata.html

You will get most of your answers if you go through the entire thread....You will also get to know where to stop.

Pls buy a Eicher Road Atlas, although not accurate but it should solve your problem (your route is accurate). Now since you want to bypass Kol. Dont enter Kolkata. Take the GQ throughout. Plan up in sucha way that you halt somewhere in Siuri and Rampurhat so that in the next day you can do Siliguri.

My rough suggession would be:
Bangalore - Vizag
Vizag - Balasore
Balasore - Siuri / Rampurhat
Siuri - Siliguri

Abhi
NOTE: based on my experience, I would still suggest a full night drive from Blr - Vizag. Enjoy that day in Vizag and start fresh the next day. Or start at 6AM from Bangalore and reach Vizag by 9PM including all your breaks.

THis is the stretch which is fast, hence my idea is not to waste time here.

dr.abhijeet · 5th March 2008, 17:54

The best idea is to bypass calcutta, and use NH2 TILL PANAGARH, turn right on the state highway and join NH34 near moregram. i drove on the same last month, THE state highway till moregram is okay, as soon as u enter NH34 u ll be greeted by large potholes, but misery is for 10 kms max . AFTER THAT good roads till silliguri. but near silliguri, there are incomplete sections of EAST WEST CORRIDOR so careful if driving during the night

ah !! noneed to change registration. btw PM johy for silliguri queries.

hvkumar · 5th March 2008, 21:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by meerkat

hvkumar, where do I buy the maps you've mentioned ? I saw the Eicher
Bangalore map, and thought it was very comprehensive, -- didn't know
their maps are inaccurate ! I have a ttk all India road atlas (book) which
is quite small. Where can I see the detailed maps before buying ?

.

These maps are available in any large book shop - try Strand Book Stall in Manipal Centre. In case you do not get them there (unlikely), I will be happy to procure them for you and send them to you.

While the Eicher City Maps are outstanding, the Road Atlas of India is dated by at least 20 years in some places. Will be pleased to send you my directory of mistakes in the Eicher Map!

akroy · 6th March 2008, 09:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by hvkumar

While the Eicher City Maps are outstanding, the Road Atlas of India is dated by at least 20 years in some places. Will be pleased to send you my directory of mistakes in the Eicher Map!

Ya that actually helps. I have the 2006 one and keep on updating the mistakes with pencil after seeing Kumar sir's list and my personal experience.

Meerkat, 2007 Eicher has lesser mistakes now. I find it very comprehensive and since you are not that regular on highway you need not invest on district level maps, Eicher will help you better. For your route Eicher is excellent

, so no worry.

Abhi

hvkumar · 6th March 2008, 23:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by akroy

Ya that actually helps. I have the 2006 one and keep on updating the mistakes with pencil after seeing Kumar sir's list and my personal experience.

Meerkat, 2007 Eicher has lesser mistakes now. I find it very comprehensive and since you are not that regular on highway you need not invest on district level maps, Eicher will help you better. For your route Eicher is excellent

, so no worry.

Abhi

I agree with Abhi. Not seen the latest version, I hope they have marked the GQ route between Baleswar and Kharagpur properly.

meerkat · 7th March 2008, 08:49

Thanks a lot akroy, hvkumar, dr.abhijeet, for your help. I'll try to procure
the Eicher map and plan out my trip with the help of all the information
you have provided. My internet access is irregular now, so couldn't
respond earlier. Whether or not I can express it, I'm really grateful to you,
team-bhp members, for all your help.

meerkat · 12th March 2008, 11:26

Friends, need some tips about how to pick packers & movers. I called
up a few of them (including Agarwals (2 of them !), Leo, Crown), and got
confused more! For a BLR to Siliguri I was quoted (on phone at this
point) from 30k to 60k (+ insurance) for the same info about the amount
of stuff ! Also, the time needed was quoted from 8 days to 18 days !
Although I do understand that they need to survey before a firm quote,
how do I shortlist based on the huge range ? Moreover, I read any
number of horror stories about the Agarwals (both of them, -- drs and
another) on mouthshut , although they seemed to have a good
reputation somehow! Also, apparently one needs to write off any
damage in transit, since it is difficult to extract much from insurance !

Do any of you have experience (good/ bad) going through this process?
Some tips will be very much appreciated. Thanks in anticipation.

johy · 12th March 2008, 19:15

Hi meerkat,

I see you have been doing a lot of much-needed research into your move. Dr. Abhi whom I have met has done to Ranchi-Gangtok a number of times and knows that part of the route well.

If there is anything you need me to look up for you in Siliguri (local-based transporters), welcome party, ;-) etc., do let me know.

Regards

meerkat · 14th March 2008, 14:15

Hi johy,

Thanks a lot for your offer of help. I like the "welcome party" part :-).
Will Siliguri-based trasporters be helpful in moving from Bangalore ?

Also, shuvd and dr.abhijeet have suggested your name as the local
authority on Siliguri. What's the scene like wrt vehicles with out of state
regn. plates, -- do the local cops care ? Must I re-register for WB ?
dr.abhijeet didn't think I'll need it, but suggested I asked you.

johy · 14th March 2008, 14:55

Meerkat,

Me no authority sir :-), but as far as I know, it is no problem here in Siliguri. The only ones the cops sometimes harass (just before the puja season) are the commercial vehicles (trucks, taxis). You can use your Bangalore plates - just make sure your papers are up to date and if ever a cop (ever) asks you, you can always tell him that you stay in Bangalore and have come here temporarily - no issues.
There are many vehicles here with out-of-state number plates.

Transporters - the only thing that might help if if there is a Siliguri truck out in Bangalore ready to head back - otherwise Bangalore-based services would be more convenient.

5th March 2008, 15:24	#16
thebagchi BHPian Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Kolkata Posts: 92 Thanked: 3 Times	Another option is Kharagpur - Mednipur - Ranigang (NH60) Now enter NH2 - Ranigang -(or Mednipur - Bankura - (SH9 (wonderful but highly undocumented road)) -Durgapur Railway Station (will save 40kms)) Durgapur - Darjelling More (Panagarh) - ... enter NH34. at Moregram - Behrampur - Bad road upto Canal Feed Bridge) - Farraka ... this Route can save you from kolkata Traffic. but will be longer. Plus NH60 section between Kharagpur to Ranigang is little bit tension prone. but u can save 50km of travel. Another option to avoid kolkata (i feel is the best option) kharagpur - kolaghat - Uluberia - Kona - (dont take Vidyasagar Setu) - Take the newly formed Nivedita Setu (just besides Bally bridge) - u'll reach Barasat - (little bit of traffic upto Krishnanagar) - from Krishnanagar - Behrampur - Bad Road - Farraka If u travel from kona to Shaktigarh - Paragarh - Darjelling more (neither u'll be avoiding bad road) plus u'll be driving additional 120Km Hopefully this is helpful mapbankura.bmp (image) through this link u can find a usable map and think about how to bypass Kolkata Last edited by Technocrat : 5th March 2008 at 15:41. Reason: Please use Edit instead of making back to back posts
	() Thanks

5th March 2008, 17:12	#17
meerkat BHPian Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: World Posts: 123 Thanked: 182 Times	Thanks a lot, guys Thanks a bunch guys, for all the information. I need to digest it all, slowly. hvkumar, where do I buy the maps you've mentioned ? I saw the Eicher Bangalore map, and thought it was very comprehensive, -- didn't know their maps are inaccurate ! I have a ttk all India road atlas (book) which is quite small. Where can I see the detailed maps before buying ? akroy, I'm the lone driver, -- will be driving down with my wife. I feel very uncomfortable driving almost like a blind person at night, so will try to finish before dusk each day (starting as early as possible). I'll read through your travelogue. You seem to know this road very much in detail. All the info will make more sense to me once I get hold of a good map. I don't think I'll spend a night in Kolkata, shall try to bypass it from a distance, if possible :-). Not that I have anything against Kolkata, but don't like the idea of tackling the traffic (I'm not comfortable driving in Bangalore traffic either, during peak hours). I didn't know Jessore road is part of NH-34. It's quite congested there. Bally bridge area has apparently improved a bit from an year back. Didn't ride the flyover yet. thebagchi, thanks for the info. Shall try to digest it with the help of a detailed map once I get it. One more thing. How long would it take the movers to get to Siliguri from BLR (should ask them I guess) ?-- That decides how long I have at my disposal to cover the distance. The whole plan will gradually take a more concrete shape with the information I gather with all your help. Thanks again.
	() Thanks

5th March 2008, 17:54	#19
dr.abhijeet BHPian Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Tucson, AZ Posts: 218 Thanked: 67 Times View My Garage	The best idea is to bypass calcutta, and use NH2 TILL PANAGARH, turn right on the state highway and join NH34 near moregram. i drove on the same last month, THE state highway till moregram is okay, as soon as u enter NH34 u ll be greeted by large potholes, but misery is for 10 kms max . AFTER THAT good roads till silliguri. but near silliguri, there are incomplete sections of EAST WEST CORRIDOR so careful if driving during the night ah !! noneed to change registration. btw PM johy for silliguri queries.
	() Thanks

7th March 2008, 08:49	#23
meerkat BHPian Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: World Posts: 123 Thanked: 182 Times	Thanks a lot akroy, hvkumar, dr.abhijeet, for your help. I'll try to procure the Eicher map and plan out my trip with the help of all the information you have provided. My internet access is irregular now, so couldn't respond earlier. Whether or not I can express it, I'm really grateful to you, team-bhp members, for all your help.
	() Thanks

12th March 2008, 11:26	#24
meerkat BHPian Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: World Posts: 123 Thanked: 182 Times	Packers & Movers : how do I pick ? Friends, need some tips about how to pick packers & movers. I called up a few of them (including Agarwals (2 of them !), Leo, Crown), and got confused more! For a BLR to Siliguri I was quoted (on phone at this point) from 30k to 60k (+ insurance) for the same info about the amount of stuff ! Also, the time needed was quoted from 8 days to 18 days ! Although I do understand that they need to survey before a firm quote, how do I shortlist based on the huge range ? Moreover, I read any number of horror stories about the Agarwals (both of them, -- drs and another) on mouthshut , although they seemed to have a good reputation somehow! Also, apparently one needs to write off any damage in transit, since it is difficult to extract much from insurance ! Do any of you have experience (good/ bad) going through this process? Some tips will be very much appreciated. Thanks in anticipation.
	() Thanks

12th March 2008, 19:15	#25
johy BHPian Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Siliguri Posts: 972 Thanked: 622 Times View My Garage	Hi meerkat, I see you have been doing a lot of much-needed research into your move. Dr. Abhi whom I have met has done to Ranchi-Gangtok a number of times and knows that part of the route well. If there is anything you need me to look up for you in Siliguri (local-based transporters), welcome party, ;-) etc., do let me know. Regards Last edited by johy : 12th March 2008 at 19:25.
	() Thanks

14th March 2008, 14:15	#26
meerkat BHPian Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: World Posts: 123 Thanked: 182 Times	Hi johy, Thanks a lot for your offer of help. I like the "welcome party" part :-). Will Siliguri-based trasporters be helpful in moving from Bangalore ? Also, shuvd and dr.abhijeet have suggested your name as the local authority on Siliguri. What's the scene like wrt vehicles with out of state regn. plates, -- do the local cops care ? Must I re-register for WB ? dr.abhijeet didn't think I'll need it, but suggested I asked you.
	() Thanks

14th March 2008, 14:55	#27
johy BHPian Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Siliguri Posts: 972 Thanked: 622 Times View My Garage	Meerkat, Me no authority sir :-), but as far as I know, it is no problem here in Siliguri. The only ones the cops sometimes harass (just before the puja season) are the commercial vehicles (trucks, taxis). You can use your Bangalore plates - just make sure your papers are up to date and if ever a cop (ever) asks you, you can always tell him that you stay in Bangalore and have come here temporarily - no issues. There are many vehicles here with out-of-state number plates. Transporters - the only thing that might help if if there is a Siliguri truck out in Bangalore ready to head back - otherwise Bangalore-based services would be more convenient.
	() Thanks