[RobC]

Originally Posted by hvkumar

....
My time estimates would be as follows (no breaks):

Kayamkulam-Kanjirapally 3 hrs
Kanjirapally-Vagamon, 2 hrs
Vagamon-Idukki-Munnar, 5 hrs
Munnar-Kumili, 3 hrs
Kumili-Kanjirapalli-Kayamkulam, 5 hrs

BTW, which route do you plan to take from Kayamkulam to Kanjirapalli?

I suppose Munnar will have to happen on another trip.

Kayamkulam - Kanjirapally Route

I am currently planning to take the following route:

Kayamkulam - Mavelikara - Mannar - Thiruvalla - Changanachery - Karukachal - Vazhoor - Ponkunnam - Kanjirapally

The only deviation i could think of from this is taking Thiruvalla - Perumthuruthy - Thengana - Karukachal instead of going through Changanachery. However, I am not sure of the quality of the roads.

[Jammy70]

Originally Posted by binaiks

Trouble already! Some political parties organised a demonstration at the toll plaza minutes after the toll collection commenced (at 00:01 hrs of December 05, 2011). They also damaged toll booths. The District Collector has ordered to suspend toll collection with immediate effect. It seems they would now "discuss matters" and then take a decision.

I traveled on this route on the 6th around 8am and the toll booth wasn't operational yet. Didn't notice damages though.

[RobC]

Originally Posted by binaiks

A quick casual look at Google Maps shows that this route is over 471 kms long - a one day sight-seeing looks far fetched to me. This could be tight, and you would not be able to spend much time at any single place - it would be more of driving all the time.

The situation in Kumily is a bit volatile - so be aware of the happenings.

I guess it would make sense to shorten the trip to: Kayamkulam --> Kanjirapally --> Vagamon --> Idukki and back.

Also, returning via Kuttikanam could be considered, but the last time I did the Kattappana --> Kuttikanam road, it was in bad condition, since it was towards to end of the monsoons. Have any repairs been undertaken on this road?

[swiftnfurious]

The drive will be too much for a single day. Have Munnar as a separate trip.

Originally Posted by binaiks

The situation in Kumily is a bit volatile - so be aware of the happenings.

Within Kumily, if you are driving a KL registration, it's going to be safe. The guys are attacking TN registration vehicles in Kumily & Kattappana & TN guys are attackng KL registration vehicles.

Originally Posted by RobC

Kayamkulam - Kanjirapally Route

I am currently planning to take the following route:

Kayamkulam - Mavelikara - Mannar - Thiruvalla - Changanachery - Karukachal - Vazhoor - Ponkunnam - Kanjirapally

The only deviation i could think of from this is taking Thiruvalla - Perumthuruthy - Thengana - Karukachal instead of going through Changanachery. However, I am not sure of the quality of the roads.

There is a route from Thiruvalla to Karukachal straight without touching Thengana. Else take the Thiruvalla - Changanacherry byepass - Karukachal - Ponkunnam route. From Changanasseri byepass [railway station], the roads are SUPERB. Vandiperiyar roads are bad.

Also note that the route to Vagamon is good, but your average speed is going to come down. Works the same for all ghat roads mentioned in your route.

Originally Posted by RobC

I guess it would make sense to shorten the trip to: Kayamkulam --> Kanjirapally --> Vagamon --> Idukki and back.

Also, returning via Kuttikanam could be considered, but the last time I did the Kattappana --> Kuttikanam road, it was in bad condition, since it was towards to end of the monsoons. Have any repairs been undertaken on this road?

I don't think Kattappana - Kuttikkanam road is bad now.

[swiftnfurious]

Could any one tell me how to reach Bangalore from Kottayam / Cochin / Angamaly thru Nilambur ? Anything specific to check for in this route, how is the over all route conditions and total kilometers? What are the best eat outs on the way ?

[lloydofcochin]

Originally Posted by swiftnfurious

Could any one tell me how to reach Bangalore from Kottayam / Cochin / Angamaly thru Nilambur ? Anything specific to check for in this route, how is the over all route conditions and total kilometers? What are the best eat outs on the way ?

Here you go - Page 199 will give you the answers - http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/route-...erala-199.html

[ranjitp1]

Originally Posted by swiftnfurious

Could any one tell me how to reach Bangalore from Kottayam / Cochin / Angamaly thru Nilambur ? Anything specific to check for in this route, how is the over all route conditions and total kilometers? What are the best eat outs on the way ?

I would suggest Kottayam-MC Road-Angamaly-Thrissur-Athani-Kurancheri-Vyasa College-Wadakancheri-Vazhacode Jn-Shoranur-Kulappully-Pattambi-Koppam-Perinthalmana-Pattikad-Wandoor-Nilambur-Vazhikadavu-Nadugani-Gudalur-Thepekkadu-Bandipur-Gundulpet-Mysore-Bangalore

Kottayam, Kerala to Bengaluru, Karnataka - Google Maps


Road conditions are good,though dont expect a fast drive till you exit Vazhikadavu.

Eating places:Lots of restaurants between Angamaly & Thrissur.There is a huge restaurant complex attached to an IOC pump to your left after Angamaly.US Pizza etc have outlets there.There is also an Sre Aryas before the Thrissur end toll gate.After the Thrissur Toll gate keep to your left and go by the side of the flyover that you encounter after the Thrissur Toll Plaza and take a left onto Kuttannellur.This route would help you bypass Thrissur town and connects you straight to the Shoranur road.

On the SHoranur highway,after Athani junction,you enter what is called the Bypass road,keep looking for Kurancheri and at that point to your left you would see a big railway overbridge.Take the left turn and cross the tracks followed by a right.All places are well marked.This route would let you avoid the railway gates at Wadakancheri.

Beyond Thrissur,there is Nakshatra Regency to your right before Koppam town(this comes after Pattambi).

Following that,there are plenty of restaurants between Perinthalmana & Nilambur.After Nilambur town,look for a KTDC Vazhiyoram to your right,serves good food.

After Vazhikadavu,you begin your ascent up the ghats.Nadugani is the border town.Gudalur might be messy with local town traffic.After that there is Jungles Lodges Resort after you exit Bandipur forest closer to Gundulpet.Then there is CCD at HP pump after Gundulpet town to your right.Do not take the ring road at Mysore,instead go through the town.It is easier and quicker.After that Mysore-Bangalore is one long food court.

Thrissur to Bangalore via this route should take you around 8-9hours.

[joommen]

Hi all,

Just wonder how is the situation in the border areas, like kambam/Theni or Thenmala area?

It is a shame that neighboring states fight each other, and not able to come even for a negotiation? Surely, I am only concerned about the people on both sides, and is not interested in anything else here, please.

Is the night driving allowed in Karnataka reserve forest side, saw a report from CM that he doesn't have any problem in allowing night travel again; which is now restricted from 9PM to 6AM? Any idea how much time it takes for one to cross the forest area; say traveling at 60-70KMs/hr? Thanks.

[binaiks]

Originally Posted by joommen

Just wonder how is the situation in the border areas, like kambam/Theni or Thenmala area?

According to news reports, the Cumbum/Theni routes are blocked - they aren't letting any vehicles across. The main blockade is between Cumbum and Kumaly - even Pilgrim vehicles are reportedly being blocked. (There are conflicting reports here - some say it is activists in TN blocking the roads, while some others say the road is being blocked in Kerala areas)

Government buses of both states have reportedly suspended services in this route. There is rampant destruction of farm lands/properties owned by Keralites in TN as well.

There are some reports of stone-throwing at Kerala SRTC buses near Coimbatore as well. The Kerala SRTC Volvo running between Trivandrum and Bangalore was blocked by protesters at Krishnagiri yesterday. Following the incident, TN government has ordered escorts for Kerala buses operating through TN.

Originally Posted by joommen

Is the night driving allowed in Karnataka reserve forest side, saw a report from CM that he doesn't have any problem in allowing night travel again; which is now restricted from 9PM to 6AM? Any idea how much time it takes for one to cross the forest area; say traveling at 60-70KMs/hr? Thanks.

There is a court order that restricts night traffic. Vehicles are still not permitted through the forests between 9PM and 6AM. On the other hand, the Karnataka Forest Deparment is proposing to increase the window by 3hours, implementing a blockade between 6PM to 6AM.

The forest routes should take you about 2 hours (Vague memory - people frequenting on the route will give you more information).

[joommen]

Thanks Binai, hope the road conditions in forest area is fine.

Considering this route in view of the agitation planned/going on on the border area.

Thanks for the route map by Ranjit through MC Road; MC Road-Angamaly-Thrissur-Athani-Kurancheri-Vyasa College-Wadakancheri-Vazhacode Jn-Shoranur-Kulappully-Pattambi-Koppam-Perinthalmana-Pattikad-Wandoor-Nilambur-Vazhikadavu-Nadugani-Gudalur-Thepekkadu-Bandipur-Gundulpet-Mysore-Bangalore

[kala]

Originally Posted by joommen

Is the night driving allowed in Karnataka reserve forest side, saw a report from CM that he doesn't have any problem in allowing night travel again; which is now restricted from 9PM to 6AM? Any idea how much time it takes for one to cross the forest area; say traveling at 60-70KMs/hr? Thanks.

Originally Posted by binaiks

There is a court order that restricts night traffic. Vehicles are still not permitted through the forests between 9PM and 6AM. On the other hand, the Karnataka Forest Deparment is proposing to increase the window by 3hours, implementing a blockade between 6PM to 6AM.

The forest routes should take you about 2 hours (Vague memory - people frequenting on the route will give you more information).

Yes - 9 PM to 6 AM is the period during which you are not allowed into the forest at the checkposts. The drive through the restricted area shoud typically take around 45 minutes on the Gudalur-Bandipur section and about 30 minutes on the Muthanga-Gudlupet checkpost section. Once you get in at the checkposts before 9 PM, I assume they would allow you reasonable time to cross it, say an hour to 90 minutes probably. I've always managed to get out of the forest area by 9:30 even when I've got in close to 9PM.

[dhanushs]

Originally Posted by joommen

Any idea how much time it takes for one to cross the forest area; say traveling at 60-70KMs/hr?

From the forest check post to the Karnataka border (The problem area), its only ~20 kilometers. Maintainable safe speed is 50-60, and that means it will take only about 30 mins to cross the border. Afterwhich, comes the Kerala forest, where you have no restrictions.

This is the case of Gundelpet - Bathery Forest.

[Tommie]

How is the Kodaikanal- Rajapalayam- Senkotta-Thenkasi-Thenmala-Punalur route? Is it safe for car in both senses - Quality of road and free from riots

Does anyone know about the Kodaikanal-Palani-pollachi-palakkad road?

How about Theni-Munnar road?

[binaiks]

Originally Posted by Tommie

How is the Kodaikanal- Rajapalayam- Senkotta-Thenkasi-Thenmala-Punalur route? Is it safe for car in both senses - Quality of road and free from riots

Does anyone know about the Kodaikanal-Palani-pollachi-palakkad road?

How about Theni-Munnar road?

As of now, all roads leading to Idukki from TN are troublesome now. There has been no reports of violence on the Theni-Munnar route, but one cannot discount the possibility of violence. Thenkasi-Punalur route too has reported some incidences of stone-pelting on KeSRTC buses. For now, only the Nagercoil-Trivandrum, Gudalur-Vazhikadavu-Nilambur, Pollachi-Gopalapuram, and Coimbatore-Walayar-Palakkad routes are considered safe.

There has been some incidences of stone-pelting on the Walayar route as well, but things are not very serious there.

[joommen]

Last year the roads were packed from 23rd onwards on Coimbatore route, hope good sense will prevail and none of the politicians will try any cheap publicity stunts during the holidays. Drive safely.