[kswapnilk]

I came back from Ooty yesterday.
While going to Ooty, we had created e-pass, they just asked if fully vaccinated and let us go without any kind of checking. No vaccination or RTPCR was asked for kids. Only 5 minutes long queue was there when we entered around 1 pm. If one is travelling with family and e-pass there is not much checking done.
We took usual Bangalore-Mandya-Mysore -Masinagudi route and it took around 7 hours to reach Ooty with breakfast stopover. Route was just fine ( less traffic and decent road conditions despite diversions till Mysore).

While returning back to Bangalore (Sunday, around 4:30 pm) , there was absolutely no one at checkpost to ask for reports or vaccine certificates. Lot of elephants , deers , peacocks were spotted. Overall good hastle free trip for us

[Pyrotek]

I have been a frequent user of the Bangalore Mysore road owing to family in Mysore. After 9 years of driving this route, the penny dropped for me yesterday when I suffered a chipped windshield on my brand new Tucson because of an errant truck and a rogue stone chip. This happened in Mandya while en route from Mysore to Bangalore. The ongoing expressway construction work is infuriating and on days when traffic builds up, this regular route is not enjoyable at all. Too many trucks and tractors carrying construction material.

Fortunately, I was to return to Mysore yesterday and I was determined to find a more hassle free rout even if it took more time. I am glad to share I found the answer. This route is perfect if you happen to live in/around North Bangalore with quick access to Tumkur Road.

Bangalore > Nelamangala > (turn left to join Shimoga/Hassan/Mangalore highway) Kunigal > Yadiyur > Nelligere/Bellur cross (turn left) > Nagamangala > Pandavapura > Srirangapatna (join the normal Mysore road here) > Mysore.

Barring a tight narrow stretch of 15 km or so from Pandavapura to Srirangapatna (it brought back memories of the road from Kolkata to Taki), the rest of the road is superb.

Up to Bellur cross is the amazing 4 lane road with lots of places to stop and refresh. I lost count of the number of restaurants.

The road from Nelligere/Bellur Cross towards Nagamangala is a beautiful 2 lane road. Quite manageable with smooth tarmac, scenic views. Not as many restaurants but that's OK.

Have shared pics of both stretches for reference. Covered the route in pure drive time of 3 hours after clearing the Parle G factory toll gate on Tumkur road.

[ampere]

Originally Posted by Pyrotek

Bangalore > Nelamangala > (turn left to join Shimoga/Hassan/Mangalore highway) Kunigal > Yadiyur > Nelligere/Bellur cross (turn left) > Nagamangala > Pandavapura > Srirangapatna (join the normal Mysore road here) > Mysore.

If one stays close to Magadi Road side, at some point in time, Magadi-Huliyurdurga-Nagamangala-Srirangapatna will be a nice 2L option. I don't think its that far away in time when this entire stretch to Nagamanagala is fixed.

A couple of years back it was quite broken. I hope in these 1.5-2 years, its slowly coming back to life.

But yes carry your own tea coffee and snacks.

[condor]

Has anyone driven on Kanakapura road (between city and Harohalli atleast) over the weekend ? Is there any checking / restrictions due to the weekend curfew ?

[goandude]

Originally Posted by Pyrotek

Bangalore > Nelamangala > (turn left to join Shimoga/Hassan/Mangalore highway) Kunigal > Yadiyur > Nelligere/Bellur cross (turn left) > Nagamangala > Pandavapura > Srirangapatna (join the normal Mysore road here) >

This has been the recommended route to Mysore ever since the Bangalore Mysore Expressway work started. It's 50 kms more but stress free, scenic and smooth. Yes last few kms are narrow and busy but a small price to pay.

[condor]

Just to update my query above:

Relaxed drive. Some barricades, but generally people have stayed away, and the cops were relaxed too. May be it helped that I went out at lunch time, and returned before dusk.


Note:
no joy rides these. I had valid passes during the two lockdowns since covid started.

[paragsachania]

Originally Posted by condor

Note:
no joy rides these. I had valid passes during the two lockdowns since covid started.

Do we still have such a thing called pass that enables us to travel? If so, what pass are you referring to and how and where did you apply and who provided with one?

Or, you are referring to a letter issued by an agency (Govt or Private) where you or your family members are associated/employed that mentions that you need to travel.

I remember that issue of any such passes was stopped during the time Delta wave picked up last year and we went into lockdown mode again.

I have mostly stayed indoors during weekend except that an hour back I ventured out to a grocery store and noticed that though cops were present at an entry point, they had compressed the collapsable barricades and traffic was hence free flowing.

[condor]

Originally Posted by paragsachania

Do we still have such a thing called pass that enables us to travel?

Since there is no lockdown at this time, there is no such thing as a pass at this time. I had mentioned about passes in the note - only to qualify that I was not on a joy-ride.

[paragsachania]

Originally Posted by condor

Since there is no lockdown at this time, there is no such thing as a pass at this time. I had mentioned about passes in the note - only to qualify that I was not on a joy-ride.

I remember that because passes were done away with from 2nd lockdown itself.

However since you mentioned about passes in your post, I easily mistook that for you having a such a "valid pass" even today and that was helping your commute. I think all of us now have forgotten what a pass is and a sudden reference to that made me curious.

So in summary, you stepped out during a lockdown today just like few of us did due to an important personal errand and have just shared your experience .

[jphukan]

Has anyone traveled to Ooty last week? How are the restrictions there?

[jphukan]

Originally Posted by jphukan

Has anyone traveled to Ooty last week? How are the restrictions there?

Travelled to Ooty on 28th Jan, followed Mysore Road from Electronic City - started at about 5:45 AM, so traffic was pretty much low (esp because it was a week day). Vax certificates were checked at Kakanallah check post; no mention about any requirement for kids. Masinagudi route is blocked and we only have Gudalur route to take.

Travelled back to Bangalore on 30 Jan, started at 11:00 AM from Ooty and followed the Pandavapura, Bellur Cross, Kunigal, route. Good roads all through and just took about 30 min more than the route that I took on 28th Jan. Traffic within Mysore city was a small irritant but not too much.

[kiran_aithal]

Originally Posted by jphukan

Travelled to Ooty on 28th Jan .... Vax certificates were checked at Kakanallah check post; no mention about any requirement for kids.
Travelled back to Bangalore on 30 Jan

Thanks for the update.
We are planning to travel on this route next week. Couple of questions
1. Was epass required to enter TN?
2. Any kind of check while entering back to Karnataka?

[jphukan]

Originally Posted by kiran_aithal

Thanks for the update.
We are planning to travel on this route next week. Couple of questions
1. Was epass required to enter TN?
2. Any kind of check while entering back to Karnataka?

I had an e-pass ready, but it was not checked. The policeman at the checkpost just asked for Vax certificates while entering TN.

Nothing at all while entering back to Karnataka. Typical checks for alcohol etc, might be on, but I was not stopped.

[professor.march]

Originally Posted by jphukan

Travelled to Ooty on 28th Jan, followed Mysore Road from Electronic City - started at about 5:45 AM, so traffic was pretty much low (esp because it was a week day). Vax certificates were checked at Kakanallah check post; no mention about any requirement for kids. Masinagudi route is blocked and we only have Gudalur route to take.

Travelled back to Bangalore on 30 Jan, started at 11:00 AM from Ooty and followed the Pandavapura, Bellur Cross, Kunigal, route. Good roads all through and just took about 30 min more than the route that I took on 28th Jan. Traffic within Mysore city was a small irritant but not too much.

Any suggested hotels in Ooty? MakeMyTrip is showing glyngarth and sterling resorts. Just wondering if anyone has any opinion about them?

[jphukan]

Originally Posted by professor.march

Any suggested hotels in Ooty? MakeMyTrip is showing glyngarth and sterling resorts. Just wondering if anyone has any opinion about them?

We stayed at Kings Cliff, Ooty - very nice property, old British bungalow style and has fireplace in the rooms.