Guys,
Drove from Bangalore to Hyderabad and back, then to Chennai and back the next day. This is not really a trip log, as the travel was unplanned (read no photos
) and to attend to minor family crisises. But thought I can share the road conditions with fellow BHPians.
Started from B'lore at 5.30 AM on 31st Jan. Reached Yelahanka by 6.15. Pulled over at the IO petrol pump to fill up, where the attendant tried to pull the Rs.200 stunt on me. I asked him to take the nozzle out, when he said, " But Sir, I have not put any petrol at all". I said "Exactly" and left the place. Did not pay anything.
The road beyond Devanhalli is really pathetic. Four laning work is in progress and the existing 2 lanes are almost unusable. After Doddaballapur, it improve slightly, but anything over 80 KMPH is suicidal.
Crossed into AP and the roads steadily improved. After Penukonda, it was a relief. Great roads and I was able to make up for lost time. Reached Anathapur at 9.30 AM. Filled up and also had breakfast. No hotels on the Highway and had to enter into the town. Left there by 10.15 AM. The road continued to be great all the way to Kurnool, with a few minor bad stretches near Gooty.
Beware of the fruit vendors near the Railway gates. They take advantage of the speedbreakers and almost make you stop by coming in the way.
Reached Kurnool by 12.15 PM. After a quick lunch braek of 30 mins, started the last leg. The roads are not very bad, but you encounter a diversion every 2 kms, which is very annoying. Overall I had a good run all the way to Shamshabad from where I took the ring road to reach home near Madhapur at 4 PM.
Started the next day morning at 7 AM and was back home in Bangalore by 8 PM.
The very next day, picked up my brother near Brigade Road at 11 AM and headed to Chennai. He suggested we take the Kolar route (Old Madras Road). The road is excellent, albeit 2 lane undivided, and there was hardly any traffic. Stopped for coffee at woodys in Kolar and then for Lunch at Ranipet. Then joined GQ at Ranipet and the drive was silky smooth all the way to the outskirts of Chennai. Traffic and roads were horrible once we entered Chennai. The last stretch of 10 kms inside Chennai took 45 mins and we were in Appolo First Med hospitals in Poonamalle High Road by 5.45 PM.
Started the next day at 5 PM from Chennai and decided to take the Krishnagiri-Hosur route. Dream drive all the way through to Bangalore and we were outside Electronics City gates in Bangalore at 9.15 PM. Dropped off my brother near Indira Nagar and head home to Kumaraswamy layout.
Cheers,
Rajan