[tilt]

Originally Posted by anandhsub

Is the stretch between Koyambedu and Maduravoiyal on the bypass fixed?

Slightly OT for this thread, but after driving through the same stretch shankar.balan mentioned multiple times this year, I am surprised how much better the metro work on ORR in Bangalore has been managed vs the Arcot Road - Poonamallee phase in Chennai.

Not just the pace of construction but more about avoiding bottlenecks and making sure the remaining road is motorable.

Even though I think it is L&T that is doing the construction in Chennai vs NCC in Bangalore.

I honestly do not remember, probably because I drive a Thar and am not bothered with minor bumps; but I think I did not have any issues. Apologies for being so vague.

I agree with your opinion on how he Madras work is not as well managed as the Bangalore one. That is the reason I chose the route I did.

Cheers

[Ice]

I did the Chennai-Bangalore-Chennai drive last weekend, via Krishnagiri.

The roads between Sriperumbudur and Ranipet are atrocious, and downright dangerous at night. I saw 2 vehicles (an i20 and a Creta) changing flat tyres at different points on this stretch.

I drive a 13-year old Fortuner, and despite the indestructible ride, I had to slow down considerably, especially at the old road - new road joints, and on the service road.

The Shatabdi is a better option, IMHO

[puntra800]

Did the Bangalore-Vellore-Bangalore yesterday , they are tarring a few stretches so thats like all traffic on the single carriageway for around 5-6km . Also the flyover construction in Ambur is a traffic bottleneck lost more than 30 mins in Ambur during the travel. With the holiday season coming expect longer waits in Ambur.

[ayyanaru]

I travelled from Bangalore to Chennai on my Taigun on 11 December.
Here is my experience.

Started from Electronic City around 4.15 pm and reached Chennai - Tambaram at 23.30 Hours with a dinner break of 45 minutes at vellore.

Bangalore to Krishnagiri
This stretch between Bangalore to Krishnagiri is unchanged. Same as earlier, roads are wide, bit of traffic and pretty much same. takes an hour and half at most.

Krishnagiri to Vellore.
This stretch even though had 3 lanes before, NHAI has put diversions at a lot of places right from 15 kms from Krishnagiri (don't know the place). Every 15-20 minute there is a diversion for a bridge with underpass and roads are newly laid as well without proper lane marking, this collectively makes very difficult to drive during evening. NIGHT journey will be a big NO, better take Vande bharat or Shatabdi or Bangalore mail and have peaceful journey. Diversion roads are so bad that even if you take sleeper bus, backpain is a sure freebie.

Coming to the most horrible part of this route - Ambur.
After so many years NHAI suddenly woke up and started building the bridge at the ambur signal and the work is very very slow. Not sure whats the issue, but the bridge girders look old and looks like not much work is happening in recent days. On a whole, till Vellore the road is 40% good and only in patches.
Bangalore to Vellore could easily take 4 hours from Electronic City on a Monday evening when there is NO TRAFFIC. so assume your calculations for a festive season or a sunday.

Vellore to Chennai
This is the second half of movie. Vellore to Ranipet road is ok. But from Ranipet to Chennai the road extension work and flyover in patches makes it extremely difficult to drive more than 30-40 kmph.
Combined with truck traffic, its a big headache. Plus most of the goods restaurants on the highway have been closed down. I felt good veg restaurants only near Vellore, earlier there were many near Krishnagiri.
I am posting my timeline snaps to give a idea.

[mahesh27]

I travelled last night from blr to chennai. After Ranipet it was an absolute nightmare. I had a thought for my return journey, would request inputs from this forum. I know that the Tirupati to Blr road is an absolute breeze. Womdering if I can do Chennai-Tirupati-Blr. Can someone tell me if the Chennai Tirupati stretch is okay to drive? I definitely want to avoid Sriperumbudur and Ranipet. This total distance via Tirupati is only 50 km more, and I don't mind this extra detour if the road is in good condition. Would love to get some suggestions.

[Madrasin_selvan]

Originally Posted by mahesh27

I travelled last night from blr to chennai. After Ranipet it was an absolute nightmare. I had a thought for my return journey, would request inputs from this forum. I know that the Tirupati to Blr road is an absolute breeze. Womdering if I can do Chennai-Tirupati-Blr. Can someone tell me if the Chennai Tirupati stretch is okay to drive? I definitely want to avoid Sriperumbudur and Ranipet. This total distance via Tirupati is only 50 km more, and I don't mind this extra detour if the road is in good condition. Would love to get some suggestions.

If your starting point is north of Poonamallee High road, you can take this route if you are keen on avoiding the Sriperumbudur - Ranipet section. I would rather suggest you take the Tiruttani - Sholinghur - Chittoor route, which is in most section 2 lane undivided road. The only hurdle would be entering Chittoor and exiting it, as there is no proper bypass.

[EVICE]

I will be doing the Bangalore-Chennai and return b/w Dec 22 and Dec 25th.

Starting from North Bangalore, would be driving to Chennai for the first time. Kindly suggest current route conditions. On return we would want to touch Kanchipuram if time permits. Would be driving during the day on both these days. Would have loved to stop at Ambur for Biryani, but reading the mess around Ambur vellore , can skip this for good.

[ravib]

Originally Posted by EVICE

I will be doing the Bangalore-Chennai and return b/w Dec 22 and Dec 25th.

Starting from North Bangalore, would be driving to Chennai for the first time. Kindly suggest current route conditions. On return we would want to touch Kanchipuram if time permits. Would be driving during the day on both these days. Would have loved to stop at Ambur for Biryani, but reading the mess around Ambur vellore , can skip this for good.

Being in North Bangalore, you can very well take Chittoor route and don't have to go via Hosur/Krishnagiri route. And same for return as well.
Kanchipuram is on the way , so if time permits, you can still do it, but beware of heavy crowds.

If you want to stop at Ambur, then you have to return via Krishnagiri/Hosur route, which is not in great shape as other bhpians mentioned. So you are better off to skip it and plan separately another time and return to Bangalore via Chittoor route itself.

-Ravi

[EVICE]

Thanks a lot Ravi. The Chittoor route seems apt. Kindly suggest any COCO fuel outlets and food options along this route. Would be staying in the Nungambakkam neighborhood.

Ambur is off the list for this time, thanks.

Originally Posted by ravib

Being in North Bangalore, you can very well take Chittoor route and don't have to go via Hosur/Krishnagiri route. And same for return as well.
Kanchipuram is on the way , so if time permits, you can still do it, but beware of heavy crowds.

If you want to stop at Ambur, then you have to return via Krishnagiri/Hosur route, which is not in great shape as other bhpians mentioned. So you are better off to skip it and plan separately another time and return to Bangalore via Chittoor route itself.

-Ravi

[jithin23]

Originally Posted by itwasntme

Noted, thanks.

My vested interest is because we are in North BLR, and sometimes reaching E-City takes 2 hours on a bad day. Hence, anything which avoids that, say via the STRR + new alignment is a huge boon!

I stay in East Bangalore and I always take the Chittoor route for as long as I remember. From my place to my Granny’s at Valasaravakkam in 4 hrs flat. I start early by 5 ish and reach by 9. Yes, as you rightly mentioned, the STRR makes sense but would add more distance. Fortunately for me Hoskote is 20-30 min away.

I tend to avoid via Hosur as the traffic is crazy on this road till Ranipet. Ranipet- MAS stretch God alone knows when it’ll be motorable

[jithin23]

Originally Posted by EVICE

Thanks a lot Ravi. The Chittoor route seems apt. Kindly suggest any COCO fuel outlets and food options along this route. Would be staying in the Nungambakkam neighborhood.

Ambur is off the list for this time, thanks.

It is better to fill up in KA itself as the fuel prices in AP are significantly expensive. There is one COCO near ITI gate and one BP after Chittoor. The restaurant infrastructure is slowly picking pace on this route as it connects Bangalore to Tirupati and towards Vijayawada and Calcutta

[glovins2004]

Beware of animal crossing just after Chennasamudram Toll Plaza (Ranipet), I was hit by dog and stranded with family during Oct 2022. Once in every two months I drive home (Chennai), I still see dogs waiting to jump onto the road. This can happen anywhere but most prominently I have noticed in this location, so be cautious and slow down.

[shiv4747]

Chennai - Bangalore - Chennai

Sorry for the late update!!


Route Taken: Kottivakkam - Chrompet - Vandalur - Walajabad - Kanchipuram - Ranipet - Chittoor - Kolar - Bloom Hotel HAL
Date: 30th November
Starting Point: Kottivakkam
Destination: Bloom Hotel HAL old airport road
Car: Virtus GT
Number of People: Just 2
Luggages: 1 Trolly case
Time Departed: 6.45 AM
Time Arrived: 1.30 PM

Car is all dirty due to rainy roads

• As I have read so much on Krishnagiri Hosur route conditions, I had no 2nd opinion on taking Chittoor route.

• Started at around 7 AM from Kottivakkam. It was drizzling a bit. Connected to OMR and headed towards Vandalur via Kamakshi hospital Chrompet route.

• As mentioned by our fellow BHPian in the same thread, I was planning to take Vandalur - Padappai - Oragadam - Mathur - Sunguvarchatram. My wife was supposed to do the navigation part. But she dozed off, So I missed to take the turn from Vandalur and headed straight towards Walajabad, Kanchepuram .
  
  Fortunately there wasnt much traffic in Walajabad and Kanchepuram, I some how reached the Bangalore highway and had breakfast at Ranipet - Nemmili location "Udupi Ruchi". No crowd there either.
  
  Took a break of 45 mins approx.

• Took the right in Ranipet connected to Chittoor route. It was a 2 lane road. Decent enough.
  
  Headed towards Kolar. The concrete road in highway was slightly bumpy. Nothing major to complaint enough. Reached the last toll before entering Bangalore city at 12.30 noon around and reached the hotel at 1.45 pm

• The car performed well and the drive was during the first half of the day. Ventilated seats are sure worth it

Return Journey to Chennai

Route Taken: Indra Nagar - Old airport road - Kolar - Chittoor - Ranipet - Sriperumpudur - Oragadam - Vandalur - Chrompet - Kottivakkam
Date: 2nd December
Starting Point: Bloom Hotel HAL old airport road
Destination: Kottivakkam
Time Departed: 2.15 PM
Time Arrived: 10.30 PM

• I wanted to start by 12 noon. So that we would reach Chennai by 7 pm approx to avoid night drive. And also the Michaung cyclone rains had stared already. But my wife wanted to shop which delayed the trip and we had started at 2.15 from Indra nagar.

• There were here and there near Chittoor and we reached Ranipet around 7 pm.

• The newly paved highways without marking during the night is really frustrating and the services roads are completely broken and not able to have a clear view due to rain and rain waters filled in the broken roads and pot holes.
  
  Please try to start your journey early to reach Chennai max before 7pm to 9pm

• We refuelled before Sriperumpudur and took the state highway road via Oragadam - Padappai - Vandalur - Chrompet - Kottivakkam. The state highway from Sriperumpudur to Oragadam to Vandalur was ok. So many pot holes and broken roads. Rain was intense when we crossed Sriperumpudur.

• We finally reached kottivakkam at 10.30 Pm. The rain density was so high. thankfully we reached without any hassles.

Most of my friends advised to take this route only during day time especially in KA, AP borders.

And also cross Ranipet before 4 to 4.30pm max to avoid local traffic.

Newly paved roads without marking during night will make the driver tired. No highway light posts - No visibility. Need to be extremely cautious.


Hope I have covered all the points.

Cheers
Shiva

[srkriz26]

Originally Posted by DasAuto1985

From the last 3 months have been travelling back and forth in the Bangalore-Chennai route every 2 weeks, due to personal commitments. The commitments are such, that I ll need the car at both the locations, so travel by train/bus is ruled out. Always take the Hosur route as i stay near one of the Nice road exits.

Same here. Since last year, I am travelling between Chennai - Bengaluru every alternative week. I stay near Hebbal. So, Chitoor route is best suited for me.

I can resonate with the traffic on Hosur-Krishnagiri route. Last year, I used to travel through Hosur road and you will never feel like driving on a Highway.

When I started driving along Chitoor route, it was all good until the last 3-4 months. Traffic has increased here as well. What used to take 5 hrs is easily taking 6 hrs now. Chennai to Bengaluru is easy, while return is terrible due to ever expanding road work before Sriperumbadur.

I stay in Pammal, so Kundrathur road is best suited for me, and I am used to the cattle menace. Upasana has become my constant halt before Sriperumbadur. On the way to Bengaluru, it is Alankar. Both are very good.

[qr20de]

I did Chennai - Bangalore and back this weekend. Road is decent up to/from Sriperumbudur. Between here and the Chennasamudram toll, its a bloody nightmare.

The combination of trucks, buses and earth movers, along with potholes and diversions is a real pain. I thought leaving in the morning would make a difference but it didn't. Trust me, the bridges are not going to be complete before 2026, or even later. Let no one lie to you because most are abandoned with vegetation growing on them.

Be prepared for one more traffic block at the Ambur junction, which took me 10 minutes to cross. There's another minor diversion before Krishnagiri but easy to navigate.