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Basically from news reports, due to the congested nature of the state and population, people are unwilling to give up land for widening.

So I guess now the widening is in fact happening between EKM and TCR. Is it being widened to 45 meters or 60 meters? This again was a bone of contention.

IIRC it is 45 meters. The link below also says the same.

NH widening stalled by LDF govt?s conditions

Widening is currently happening between Angamaly and Trichur(turn off to Ollur, 10 kms before Trichur). I believe it's been happening for the past two years or so. The widening has been completed at various places intermittently, so it like partially complete. The stretch between Angamaly and Chalakudy is worse than the rest of the stretch partly due to frequent deviations along this stretch and more so because the lanes have not been marked on this stretch wherever the tarring is complete.For lighting, you have to depend on solely your car's headlamps.Once this stretch is complete, there should be a good reduction in travel time between Trichur and Ernakulam. AFAIK, this is the most congested road in the entire state.

I am planning to drive from Bangalore to Munnar this weekend. Planning to take following route

Bangalore-Hosur-Krishnagiri-Dharmapuri-Bhawani-Salem-Perandurai-Vijapuri-Tirrupur-Paladam-Udumalapettai-Chinnar-Marayoor-Munnar

Anyone has taken this route recently and how is the road conditions? I am aware that upto Salem, the roads are excellent. How about Salem to Munnar via the above route?

Waiting for the latest updates. Would you recommend Palakkad-Thrissur via NH 47 or via Ottappalam?

Had gone down to Kerala for a day last weekend and on the return journey, Sharma Volvo took the Plkd-Tsr route. It seems that a lot of patch work has been done. I think there were 2-3 places were it slowed down for potholes, but otherwise seemed driveable. Not at any fast pace though.

Oh, don't get carried away by the fact that I was in a Volvo. The suspension had passed its prime, so each pothole/patch made its presence felt!

Any particular reason why you want to go via Tiruppur ? Passing Tiruppur town can slow you down quite a bit. The faster route to Udumalpettai is Perundurai-Kangeyam-Dharapuram-Udumalpettai : Good roads and not very heavy traffic.

Palakkad-Thrissur is still in terrible shape even after the so called patch work. The upper crust of the road layer is gone in a lot of places and there are numerous sharp pot holes. While returning I will definitely opt for the Ottappalam route.

General update - Avinashi stretch is quite manageable even with a lot of minor diversions.

No particular reason, I just found this route while googling mentioning it is the easiest route. I would take the route suggested by you, Thank you. So from Perundurai I need to take deviation from NH to SH, hope I am right.
jp

Yes - you need to take a left turn from the NH to get on to the State Highway to Kangeyam. Make sure you ask locals for directions to the next major destination at Kangeyam as well as Dharapuram because there are multiple state / National highways crossing at these places and there's every possibility missing a signboard and taking a wrong road.

I plan to drive down to Trivandrum from Chennai with stop overs at Palakaad and near Kunnamkulam. The trip is not yet confirmed.

Could you suggest a good route from Kunnamkulam to TVM, and how is the current conditions of this route ? What would be the travelling time if i were to sedate speed in an SX4? Also any good hotels which is also economical?

As Kala said, no need to go into Tiruppur. Go via Kangeyam, Dharapuram.


This is a very tricky part and hence you need to be careful. NH47 by-passes Perindurai completely and hence before you know, you would Kms away from where you need to exit.

There is an exit for Perindurai town and you need to take that and drive for about 2-4 km to hit the town. Then as Kala said ask locals for Kangeyam road. Its also marked (but I guess in Tamil). There is a railway crossing above which an overbridge was being constructed, Not sure of its status today.


Be aware that Kangeyam-Dharapuram-Udumalpet section, does not have any major toilet/hotels. Hence plan your breaks accordingly. You can get packed curd-rice. If you are a non-veg, I guess options are much more.

I think NH47 option (Kunnamkulam-Thrissur-Ernakulam-Alappuzha-Kollam-TVM) would be the straightforward option though there are broken stretches now and then. The other option (SH1 or MC Road) (Kunnamkulam-Thrissur-Angamaly-Perumbavur-Muvattupuzha-Kottayam-Kottarakkara-TVM) has significant twists and curves but it has been relaid recently. You can search previous posts in this thread for the exact description of road condition.

Unless you absolutley need to get to Palakkad and Kunnamkulam on your trip to TVM , i would suggest that you plan for these places on your return trip so that you can come down straight to TVM through Tamilnadu and on return you can cover PGT and KUNLM so that you can time your trip through the NH 47 in the non peak hours , the road becomes more or less congestion free after 1000 hrs in the the night to about 0800 in the morning. outside this time hell literally break loose on this road.

@Sbraj, thanks for the route. I think I'll try the NH 47 route, unless the other one is more scenic


@hellstar, thanks for the suggestion. I do need to stop over at PGT and KUNLM both ways, that is excuse to take the car :D . I would be staying for a day or two both at PGT and KUNLM. If taking the road, I would be using the whole week for this trip. I need to be at TVM Lourde Church on the 29th.

Any good suggestions on Hotels, in the acco thread Pankaj and Maurya were mentioned. Are these still good, also how is Ginger ?

Thanks
Raghu