[neutralgrey]

Originally Posted by mpksuhas

-Make sure you reach Gundlupet forest check post before closure at...

Thanks for the info. Do you have any idea on the route quality? I will be driving a Creta 1.6D.

[Ravi Krish]

Originally Posted by sbkumar

My friend has to plan his return trip from Kottayam to BLR either tomorrow or day after. Can anyone provide suggestions for a safer route, given the circumstances? Also is there anyone else in the same situation? Given the Onam break, I'm assuming more guys in the same dilemma ? Also will this escort thing continue for more days ?

I heard and also saw on TV that there is inteligence report of a possible violence breakout in the coming days. I wouldnt venture on long, and particularly cross border trips during the daytime (atleast). Unless the convoy services continue. Still if there is an option of waiting it out, i would take it

[mpksuhas]

Originally Posted by neutralgrey

Thanks for the info. Do you have any idea on the route quality? I will be driving a Creta 1.6D.

No need to worry about road conditions. Couple of places you will find deviation due to ongoing road work . Apart from that entire route is good. Do watch out for unmarked speed breakers once you enter Bandipur forest.

[sbkumar]

Originally Posted by Ravi Krish

I heard and also saw on TV that there is inteligence report of a possible violence breakout in the coming days. I wouldn't venture on long, and particularly cross border trips during the daytime (at least). Unless the convoy services continue. Still if there is an option of waiting it out, i would take it

Actually he has to make the trip, as he has to return back to work. He can postpone for couple of days but not more I am afraid. I read somewhere about cops suggesting people to change the number plates ( KA to KL ). I am seriously thinking of suggesting this to him, of course I don't have a clue about the ramifications.

[Ravi Krish]

Originally Posted by sbkumar

Actually he has to make the trip, as he has to return back to work. He can postpone for couple of days but not more I am afraid. I read somewhere about cops suggesting people to change the number plates ( KA to KL ). I am seriously thinking of suggesting this to him, of course I don't have a clue about the ramifications.

Hmm...he could perhaps leave the vehicle there and come by public transport? Just a thought

[sajidclt]

Originally Posted by sbkumar

Actually he has to make the trip, as he has to return back to work. He can postpone for couple of days but not more I am afraid. I read somewhere about cops suggesting people to change the number plates ( KA to KL ). I am seriously thinking of suggesting this to him, of course I don't have a clue about the ramifications.

If he has to drive down from Kottayam, the safest route, at the moment, is through Wayanad. As per Google Maps, this is around 600km and almost 14 hours drive. Taking Mysore road seems to be safe now, or he can take the alternate route through Chamrajnagar. Other option would be to go through the regular route and wait for the convoy.

[neutralgrey]

A colleague drove from Thrissur to Bangalore yesterday. He took the usual route (Walayar - Salem - Krishnagiri - Hosur).

After being asked to remove the number plates at Walayar, he along with other cars were escorted by TN cops in stages. First till Salem, then till Krishnagiri and from there till Hosur. At the first stage a cop got into his car. At every stage they had to wait and the number of cars in the convoy increased. The final stage from Krishnagiri had almost 200 cars. In the final stage, the lead escort vehicle was maintaining very high speeds (around 120kmph). Other than the convoy there was very sparse traffic on road. Once, the poor guy had to leave the convoy on the way for refilling fuel and rush back (doing around 140kmph) to join the convoy again.

He was also informed that the escorts will continue only for 3 more days. The cops told KA registration vehicles should remove the number plates and/or preferably change to some TN number and travel. They will not question anyone for doing so. If any related legal ramifications were to raise then I wonder how its going to be.

If all this were to happen in some movie, I would have booed the hell out of it. Strange world we live in .

[B103]

I am planning to travel tomorrow (Saturday) in a KA registration car from Kottayam to Bangalore.

If today's TN bandh ends peacefully, I am thinking of taking the usual Coimbatore - Salem - Bangalore route. I hope the convoy system will be available till this weekend.

Is this plan risky?

Another option is Coimbatore - Sathyamangalam - Annur - Chamrajnagar route. I haven't seen any recent posts about that route in this thread. The other option via Kozhikode - Thamarassery - Chamrajnagar is very circuitous. Ghats will get clogged very easily and you will get delayed a lot because of that.

Any other advice?

[simplysaj]

In the same boat.
Have to leave to Bangalore tomorrow from Changanassery.
The sultan bathery, gundlupet route is too long for us especially with kid.

how safe is the usual coimbatore salem route. Any suggestions?

[B103]

Originally Posted by simplysaj

In the same boat.
Have to leave to Bangalore tomorrow from Changanassery.
The sultan bathery, gundlupet route is too long for us especially with kid.

how safe is the usual coimbatore salem route. Any suggestions?

Could not PM you as it is disabled in your profile.

We are also starting from Changanacherry tomorrow at around 5:30 to 6. You could join if interested.

[simplysaj]

We are planning to start bit early like 4.30 - 5
which route are you planning?

Our house is near to railway station.

[B103]

Originally Posted by simplysaj

We are planning to start bit early like 4.30 - 5
which route are you planning?

Our house is near to railway station.

I hope mods will excuse me as I am unable to PM simplysaj.

We live at Perunna close to AC road. My brother will start from Chry at 5:30-ish tomorrow morning. Planning to drive via Vaikom, Tripunithura, Alwaye, Palakkad route tomorrow.

Kindly go ahead if you plan to start early. Will catch up some other time.

[neutralgrey]

If you guys are taking the Walayar - Salem - Hosur route, make sure you have screw drivers of the correct type to remove the number plates. You will have to remove them at Walayar and fit them back after entering the 'Welcome to Karnataka' arch.

[B103]

Originally Posted by neutralgrey

If you guys are taking the Walayar - Salem - Hosur route, make sure you have screw drivers of the correct type to remove the number plates. You will have to remove them at Walayar and fit them back after entering the 'Welcome to Karnataka' arch.

I assume an adjustable spanner will do.
However, I dont think this can fool somebody (in TN) very easily.

[neutralgrey]

I too think the same. The cops who come with you to escort request you take it off. It is not fooling anybody. Many cars in a convoy without number plates and with cop cars in the front and back is bound to attract eye balls more than usual. But that is what they ask you to do.