Bangalore to Chennai & back: Updates on road conditions & diversions

I have been reading justified comments on both threads on the terrible experience of driving Bangalore-Chennai. But it isn't as bad as what we have been facing for the last 3 years.

BHPian Secretariat recently shared this with other enthusiasts:

Did Bangalore-Chennai-Bangalore twice in the last two weeks.

The Bommasamudram railway crossing was open to traffic both ways all four times. The blocks on the road at various points have been shifted around to let even trucks ply through. About 100 metres, at the crossing of the railway track, is in terrible condition, but I didn't have to tackle the village road. In any case its awfulness is similar to the monstrous potholes for about a km after the turnoff to Katpadi if we were to take that route as a way of avoiding the railway crossing. Not sure if the "opening" of the railway crossing is because of the holidays, but I crossed it smoothly all four times. There is a long way to go however before the bridge over the railway track is done - not likely in the near future.

In the Chennai - Bangalore direction, you are supposed to take the overbridge at the Chittoor bypass, but on the opposite side of the carraigeway. But right at that point there is a sign directing you to go on the overbridge if you are proceeding into Chittoor and take the side road if you want to continue to Bangarupalayam. I went down the side road adjacent to the bridge as per the direction, only to find myself with no way to proceed but into Chittoor town !! The policeman directed me to go back all the way and take the overbridge. There were a number of vehicles who made the same mistake as I. So when coming from the Chennai side go up the overbridge - there is no other way to continue on the highway. In the Bangalore-Chennai direction, there is no bridge (and no confusion !)

I have been reading justified comments on both threads on the terrible experience of driving Bangalore-Chennai. But it isn't as bad as what we have been facing for the last 3 years. The Chennasamudram-Sriperumpudur section is definitely much better than the low point of 2022. There are still 14 diversions, including the infamous Saint Gobain diversions (the company's brand name is forever ruined !!). But except for two diversions, the side roads have survived the monsoon rains pretty well. Yes, there are potholes, but I didn't find any craters . So no need to explore sideroutes through Walajabad - straightforward to Sriperumpudur and then the usual choices to go to South Chennai.

What has deteriorated are the 9 diversions between Bangalore and Ranipet which has meant that there is almost no stress free section to drive on. The road through Ranipet has also developed a number of potholes (none huge) making the stretch a rattler. This has ensured that the pain level of the drive has remained the same from yester years.

Side note to EV drivers - Unless you own a luxury EV, one charging stop is inevitable if you aren't hypermiling. I am finding a two stop strategy better than the one stop one. The mid point options for a one stop are really Nandi Plaza at Bangarupalayam and Electrik Mobility at Tirupati bypass. Electrik Mobility is fine for charging, but there is no nice food joint nearby. Nandi Plaza would have been perfect but the Neugo buses are commandeering two of the four chargers and there is always a wait time for the other two (EVs are surely increasing in numbers). So two quick stops (just for topup while a refreshment is being had), at one third and two third distances is my current preference.

Read BHPian comments for more insights and information.