[ampere]

There is a sign gauge. But its not all prominent. Also the exit road is a small detour from the four. For such an important exit, they need to make it bold and prominent. Also it needs to be a bigger exit.

[Raaj*]

Yes. A little unlucky as i ran out of charge in my mobile & hence no GPS to caution but lucky as my wife asked me "why there are no route boards reading "Chennai" but all speak about Dharmapuri and Salem!
Also, dont know why they should not install Solar lamps in NH. Almost 90% are in dark and high beams from vehicles in the opposite lane is eye straining! Had to stay sharp with the help of two Red-bulls. So many small villages enroute.
Forget cows, even people are crossing the road fearlessly. Though no close encounters, i had to reduce speed on many places as people cross the NH in their two wheelers out of no where in dark!
Before Vellore, a gentleman was slowly crossing the road with two cows! Highbeam saves!

Originally Posted by ampere

For such an important exit, they need to make it bold and prominent. Also it needs to be a bigger exit.

Is there a place where we could give suggestions to NHAI about installing a bold and prominent sign boards, installing solar lamps & about the bad patches despite charging toll fee?

I enquired with the person collecting the fee in the toll gate after Sriperumbudhur. He asked me to speak to the contractor! Where on earth i could find them!

[suresh_gs]

Originally Posted by Raaj*

I came back from Bangalore yesterday night. While the road from Chennai to Bangalore is fantastic, faced hiccups while coming back.

1) The route/sign board before the left turn to Krishnagiri (towards Chennai) was not there. Expecting the board, i kept on driving and after approx 35 kms i had a doubt. Stopped and understood from a vendor that i crossed it long back Took a U turn and drove back 35 kms to take a right turn under the flyover. Came to know that it has been removed temporarily for repainting!

After paying toll at Krishnagiri, you will cross the immediate flyover. As you are nearing the second flyover, do not go via the flyover. Instead go below the same and then take a left turn to Chennai.
As you rightly pointed out, there should a large sign display indicating where one should turn towards Chennai.

[DWind]

Originally Posted by mpksuhas

However, there is no proper signage on the route for Chennai turn off. Unless you are lucky, there is a good chance that you would end up missing the turn if not familiar with the route.

It is Strange how we have taken things for granted. The signage to take left for Chennai is a long pending one. Years ago (I think it was 2006) I had missed the same turn in the night. Fortunately for me the NH7 was still a 2 lane road after the flyover then and so I was able to quickly realize my folly and turn back to take the right (now) to NH 46.

[kala]

Originally Posted by DWind

It is Strange how we have taken things for granted. The signage to take left for Chennai is a long pending one. Years ago (I think it was 2006) I had missed the same turn in the night. Fortunately for me the NH7 was still a 2 lane road after the flyover then and so I was able to quickly realize my folly and turn back to take the right (now) to NH 46.

I missed that turnoff when I travelled in December. I thought I missed it because I was talking to my co-passenger and had missed the signboard. Realized it within a kilometer because the road becomes a 4 laner after Krishnagiri (it's a 6 lane till there) so took a U turn and then turned right towards Chennai.

When coming from the Salem side, the marking for the Chennai turnoff is quite clear. I remember seeing a signboard when coming from the Bangalore side also a long time ago - but I could be wrong (or may be it's just that the signboard has disappeared only recently ?)

[ampere]

Originally Posted by kala

When coming from the Salem side, the marking for the Chennai turnoff is quite clear. I remember seeing a signboard when coming from the Bangalore side also a long time ago - but I could be wrong (or may be it's just that the signboard has disappeared only recently ?)

Yes when coming from Salem, the sign-board clear. Its also marked when coming from Bangalore. But where it helps from the Salem side, is that fact that exit a big one. Get on to the flyover Vs take the exit. But the same is not true when coming from Bangalore side.

The situation is pretty similar to the NICE road exit when coming from Nelamangala.

[Aniket6]

Originally Posted by DWind

It is Strange how we have taken things for granted. The signage to take left for Chennai is a long pending one.

+1 victim of this signboard. I missed the sign and covered 45kms ahead towards Salem. Only realized after seeing a lot of buses with sign saying Bangalore<->Salem.

[NPV]

Originally Posted by kala

I remember seeing a signboard when coming from the Bangalore side also a long time ago - but I could be wrong (or may be it's just that the signboard has disappeared only recently ?)

I remember that signage being quite prominent when it was 4 laned but after the 6 laning work it has become a smaller sign and quite difficult to spot.

[Sunney]

Hi all,
I am in Bangalore, need to go Chennai today afternoon or tomorrow morning for a one day business.
I came driving a Linea from Kochi few days back. (Kochi-Bglr route is a breeze, 99%, for those need this info)

I am heard roads near Chennai are really bad, taking about 6.50 hrs, hence advisable to go by Bus or Train and roam in Chennai on Taxi.

Is the condition still same or improved?
Availability of bus tickets are tough and I am driving back to KL via Krishnagiri after finishing one day work.

So, what will you advise: Car or Bus, please....

[arvind71181]

Originally Posted by Sunney

Hi all,
I am in Bangalore, need to go Chennai today afternoon or tomorrow morning for a one day business.
I came driving a Linea from Kochi few days back. (Kochi-Bglr route is a breeze, 99%, for those need this info)

I am heard roads near Chennai are really bad, taking about 6.50 hrs, hence advisable to go by Bus or Train and roam in Chennai on Taxi.

Is the condition still same or improved?
Availability of bus tickets are tough and I am driving back to KL via Krishnagiri after finishing one day work.

So, what will you advise: Car or Bus, please....

Roads are fine now, I did a trip during the new year and it was good. Probably from Kanchipuram there might be some potholes but the route is quite doable by a car.

[ravib]

Originally Posted by Sunney

Hi all,
I am in Bangalore, need to go Chennai today afternoon or tomorrow morning for a one day business.
I came driving a Linea from Kochi few days back. (Kochi-Bglr route is a breeze, 99%, for those need this info)

I am heard roads near Chennai are really bad, taking about 6.50 hrs, hence advisable to go by Bus or Train and roam in Chennai on Taxi.

Is the condition still same or improved?
Availability of bus tickets are tough and I am driving back to KL via Krishnagiri after finishing one day work.

So, what will you advise: Car or Bus, please....

You can very much do it in your own Car. From Bangalore to Ranipet, you can do great speeds, but beyond that slow down due to traffic and "not so great" roads. It was horrible earlier, but now okay type though. Just reduce speed as soon as you cross chennasamudram toll plaza and you should be fine.

-Ravi

[suresh_gs]

Originally Posted by Sunney

Hi all,
I am in Bangalore, need to go Chennai today afternoon or tomorrow morning for a one day business.
I came driving a Linea from Kochi few days back. (Kochi-Bglr route is a breeze, 99%, for those need this info)

I am heard roads near Chennai are really bad, taking about 6.50 hrs, hence advisable to go by Bus or Train and roam in Chennai on Taxi.

Is the condition still same or improved?
Availability of bus tickets are tough and I am driving back to KL via Krishnagiri after finishing one day work.

So, what will you advise: Car or Bus, please....

You have 2 options, either by car or by Shatabdi train. The train leaves Bangalore by 6 AM and reaches Chennai Central by 10 30 AM. For the return journey (overnight), you have the option of coming either by Kaveri Express or Bangalore Mail, assuming you work is not over by the time you intend to come by the evening Shatabdi Train that leaves chennai by 5 30 PM.
If not train, driving by car is the next best option.

[tilt]

I just drove back to Bangalore and arrived an hour ago. The roads are fine. Not fantastic, but absolutely fine.

Cheers

[Sunney]

The drive was good, no bad roads.
Started morning 5 from Bangalore, Coramangala.
Reached Poonamalli by 10.30, but up to Santhom, it took 1 hr.

Finished work by 2pm, left to Kochi straight, reaching Kochi at 1am.

Thanks to all who encouraged the car trip....

[adg_andy]

Me too returned after a trip to Chennai and back in the first week of February. Was saved from being a victim of the signboard by wifey who was over cautious after the Krishnagiri toll . Roads were decent to good, apart from about 20 kms before Sriperumbudur.

Started at 11 p.m on a Friday and reached Adyar at 3:30 a.m. Stayed over the weekend+ Monday, visited Mahabalipuram . Started journey from Chennai at 8 a.m , had breakfast at Sangeetha, Adyar and reached E City by 1 p.m.