[arindamray]

While Shiv was getting ready, took the camera out to take few window shots


The room at the hotel. Got up late, as we are supposed to go to MASS first, to check out the car after dog hit.


Hotel Presidency


Our search for MASS, first led us to Sky, but it only had a showroom


They guided us to Narayani


Effect of the dog hit last night - dented bumper, broken fog light, leaked wiper liquid container


Dent on the bonnet from the cricket ball hit on previous day, it was hard to believe that a bouncing cricket ball can do so much damage


Our next destination Kolkata, not a long distance away


We met btirthankar just outside Bhuvaneshwar


Shiv proving a point???


Inspired by btirthankar


Crossing Mahanadi


A small dhaba on NH60, had a tasty lunch there


Lush green fields greeted us on entering West Bengal


NH60, absolute belter. (I had travelled on this back in 2002-03, and it was a nightmare.)


Crossing Rupnarayan at Kolaghat, not much of a jam


Outskirts of Kolkata


Taking the turn on Kona Expressway to enter Kolkata


Yellow Amby taxis tell you that you are in Kolkata


See you around


Approaching Vidyasagar Setu


On Vidyasagar Setu. The first thing Shiv notices entering Kolkata, it's thick heavy smog filling the evening sky.


The second day break was at home in Saltlake .

[abhijitaparadh]

I dont see Shiv wearing seat belt in one of the photos !!

[snaronikar]

Originally Posted by abhijitaparadh

I dont see Shiv wearing seat belt in one of the photos !!

All that matters is they are safe now. I feel he might have taken out for a few minutes for relaxing. You also should have experience wearing the seat belt and drivng for long hours otherwise, you will experience pain in abdomen region for wearing the same for 14-16 hrs/day unless the seating and belt position is correct (my opinion).

[bijuks]

Sad to know about the accident.

Arindam and Shiv - Glad to know that you are safe. Ramky - great - your support will be remembered by many for long. Thank you for showering so much kindness.

[akroy]

Nice pics Arindam, where did you get that mess in Vijayawada and Vizag.
Did Shiva knew abt it earlier?
I am sure those Idlies tasted amazing.

Originally Posted by snaronikar

All that matters is they are safe now. I feel he might have taken out for a few minutes for relaxing. You also should have experience wearing the seat belt and drivng for long hours otherwise, you will experience pain in abdomen region for wearing the same for 14-16 hrs/day unless the seating and belt position is correct (my opinion).

He might be safe in this instant but may not be in future.

Srini, it is all about practice. Practice a change for your safety, convenience and betterment.
As ramky also pointed Shiva didnt wear seat belts in the entire trip (also in his Scorpio after the accident) and he was extremely lucky to come out scratchfree. There should not be any compromise on that front.

Abhi

[maheshmenon]

Sorry to hear about the incident, the good thing is that you all are safe.

@Ramky : Sir, it is gestures like this that keeps the bond of TBHP alive. !Thank you!

I don't intend to hijack this thread! But after looking at your picture of crossing the River Mahanadi,what hit me was the stark contrast of the pictures I took when I was crossing in September this year.

[arindamray]

Originally Posted by nnandi

I would request you to take it easy for a while, let this incident settle down in your memory and let your family feel secured for some time. Till then, get a driver for your daily drive purposes.

I have resumed my daily drive next day itself. No problem whatsoever on that.

Originally Posted by akroy

Nice pics Arindam, where did you get that mess in Vijayawada and Vizag.
Did Shiva knew abt it earlier?
I am sure those Idlies tasted amazing.

No, Shiva didn't know of them. Were found by chance.
The idli's were great. And the coconut chatney also had groundnut mixed with it. They do not serve tea/coffee as well; one can get butter milk though.

Originally Posted by maheshmenon

I don't intend to hijack this thread! But after looking at your picture of crossing the River Mahanadi,what hit me was the stark contrast of the pictures I took when I was crossing in September this year.

Mahesh, it was indeed a pleasure to see the pictures, so much contrast. Would you mind checking Godavari pictures as well, and posting them.

[vnabhi]

Originally Posted by maheshmenon

I don't intend to hijack this thread! But after looking at your picture of crossing the River Mahanadi,what hit me was the stark contrast of the pictures I took when I was crossing in September this year.

Mahesh, those pics were during monsoon. Cuttack and Chowdwar on the other side of the Mahanadi are low-lying areas and very vulnerable to floods. This is one of the reasons why the capital was shifted 4 decades ago to Bhubaneswar from the 1000 year old Cuttack.

The road bridge that you and Arindam travelled on was constructed in the mid-60s. Prior to that one had to cross the river via the anicut at Jobra--- a very scary experience as water would often overflow onto the road above.
As school kids, we often used to cycle across the anicut to Chowdwar, and once my pal and his bicycle almost got swept off by flowing water.

[pkumar]

Arindam, please continue with the photos. Eager to see the Kolkata-Delhi stretch.

[arindamray]

Sunday early morning (0830) in Kolkata


Amby, Amby everywhere... (but not a shiny black one)


Approaching Nivedita Setu (Bridge)


Nivedita Setu and Vivekananda Setu on the side


Morning mist over Ganga


Who is moving faster?


Durgapur Expressway - barricaded and with service roads


From the greens of WB, the scenary changes drammatically in JH


Was stuck for this train to pass


One of the few railway crossings in the GQ, the ROB is still under construction


First time found the boards in blue instead of green, isn't there a standard?


Where should we stop today?


Crossing the Sone bridge. The railway bridge parallel to it is the longest railway bridge in India.

Nehru Setu Bridge near Dehri on the river Sone is the longest railway bridge in India. The bridge is near Sasaram on Kolkata-Delhi Line. It is 3.065km long and has 93 spans of 30.5m each.

River Sone


Phir milenge parsho


Sun down


Sun setting down over the city of Varanasi


We followed this Indica between Varanasi and Allahabad


Two copper color Swift Diesels


Midnight meet


Third day, a long one, ends at midnight at Kanpur.

[pulsar56]

arindam, nice pics.
Especially, of the the two trucks, one at 60 KMPH and the other at 62 KMPH! And trying to overtake over a period of 20-25 minutes!
Wish you guys could complete the GQ run. Alas, But, it's really good to know that you giys were unhurt and safe!

[btirthankar]

That was a Good Coverage, Arindam.

Waiting for more. Especially the Delhi ones now.

[reignofchaos]

Didn't read this thread until today. Its terrible that such an ambitious journey had to end in a sad manner with the car totaled. End of the day the silver lining is that the passengers are completely safe. The car can be replaced.

Please drive wearing seatbelts on the highway. I can't emphasize it enough - I force the rear seat passengers in my car to wear seatbelts as well. It could be the difference between life and death.

This seems like a simple case of understeer from the swift though. The only way to have avoided it was by going slow. Its a shame that the highway doesn't have warning signs.

[phamilyman]

ok DQ= how to reduce understeer in swift? please guide.

[MileCruncher]

Good pictures Arindam! Look forward to more. Did you maintain any log for the trip for Time/Speed/Distance format.

Would be good information for all others who intend to do the GQ and can plan based on this.

Cheers