[raju2512]

Originally Posted by Capri89

Guys, have a trip to Vaitheeswaran koil coming up after April 19th (post election in TN).

Please recommend best route from Chennai. Previously driven upto Pondicherry but not further.

Take Tindivanam - Pondy - Cuddalore - Chidambaram route. I travelled last week and road is good with a few diversions. Only irritant will be Pondy _ Cuddalore stretch (road condition is OK but heavy unruly traffic closer to Pondy and Cuddalore).

[venki.bala]

Vikravandi - Sethiyathope - Kumbakonam Road update:

Yesterday did this stretch in broad day light.

Is it Doable? Yes very much in DAY LIGHT

Is it worth? No not all.

Vikravandi - Koliyanur X road - Complete 4 lane.

Koliyanur x roads - Sethiyathope X rods : Absolutely worthless. could not see any work happening. You get a stretch of 1-2 kms new road and then merges with old one without any warning. The old stretch is worn out. Night travel will be totally risky in this stretch. Entered Vikravandi at 3.30 PM and reached Sethiyathope at 4.55 PM after carefully managing the in/out of new/old road and the dreaded old surface. I don't think at this rate this will be ready for 2029 elections.

Sethiyathope x Roads - Kumbakonam: Sethiyathope - Meensurity - Anaikarai is a beautiful stretch. Complete 4 lane except for 3 bridges. Anaikarai new bridge is ready but not opened for public. only trucks are allowed. Anaikarai - Thirupanandal - Kumbakonam nothing to write about its mostly the old road with signs of construction happening.

Kumbakonam - Alangudi - Needamangalam - Mannargudi : what a relief. This is really a beauty now. totally new with all reflectors and less number of speed breakers. Crossed the new thanjavur - nagapattinam road at Needamangalam looks awesome. Also Needamangalam has been sanctioned with a new flyover. Soon the construction may start. The world famous railway gate for all wrong reasons may soon be a thing in the past.

Overall Vikravandi - Sethiyathope is not worth taking. Stressful for the vehicle and the Driver. I am really not sure if it will be ready in near future.

[pypkmsrikanth]

Originally Posted by venki.bala

Vikravandi - Sethiyathope - Kumbakonam Road update:

Yesterday did this stretch in broad day light.

Is it Doable? Yes very much in DAY LIGHT

Is it worth? No not all.

Vikravandi - Koliyanur X road - Complete 4 lane.

Koliyanur x roads - Sethiyathope X rods : Absolutely worthless. could not see any work happening. You get a stretch of 1-2 kms new road and then merges with old one without any warning. The old stretch is worn out. Night travel will be totally risky in this stretch. Entered Vikravandi at 3.30 PM and reached Sethiyathope at 4.55 PM after carefully managing the in/out of new/old road and the dreaded old surface. I don't think at this rate this will be ready for 2029 elections.

Overall Vikravandi - Sethiyathope is not worth taking. Stressful for the vehicle and the Driver. I am really not sure if it will be ready in near future.

Tindivanam - Villupuram - Ulundurpet - Vridachalam - Sethiathoppu will possibly remain the most viable route for the near future I suppose. Until possibly the Vridachalam - Jayamkondam road work gets completed. Hopefully the Anakkairai bridge gets opened soon

[venki.bala]

Originally Posted by pypkmsrikanth

Tindivanam - Villupuram - Ulundurpet - Vridachalam - Sethiathoppu will possibly remain the most viable route for the near future I suppose. Until possibly the Vridachalam - Jayamkondam road work gets completed. Hopefully the Anakkairai bridge gets opened soon

Yes Srikanth. You are right. Ulundurpet- Vridachalam - Sethaiathopu is an apt choice.

[ravib]

Originally Posted by pypkmsrikanth

Tindivanam - Villupuram - Ulundurpet - Vridachalam - Sethiathoppu will possibly remain the most viable route for the near future I suppose. Until possibly the Vridachalam - Jayamkondam road work gets completed. Hopefully the Anakkairai bridge gets opened soon

Originally Posted by venki.bala

Yes Srikanth. You are right. Ulundurpet- Vridachalam - Sethaiathopu is an apt choice.

+1 Agreed. Given that Vridhachalam to Andimadam-Jayankondam road widening happening, these additional 20kms are worth drive and best option in current state.

-Ravi

[venki.bala]

Took the advice of srikanth. Return took the Sethiathoppu - Vridachalam - Ulundurpet. Roads were in great condition. Timing wise:

Anaikarai - 10.30 AM.

Sethaithoppu - 10.55 AM

Vridachalam - 11.20 AM

Mangalampettai Byp - 11.40 AM

Sengurichi Toll - 11.55 AM.

Vikravandi Toll - 12.30 PM

[ampere]

Originally Posted by venki.bala

Took the advice of srikanth. Return took the Sethiathoppu - Vridachalam - Ulundurpet. Roads were in great condition. Timing wise:

Did you use the bridge at Sethiyarthope? Or exited the new 4-lane earlier? I guess you would have exited before and gotten into the town.

EDIT: I also see KMU-Tanjore is totally a new 4-lane alignment

[Sridhar K]

I will be travellling from Tambaram to Kodiakarai tomorrow. How good is the ECR from Pondy?

[CArspeed]

Originally Posted by Sridhar K

I will be travellling from Tambaram to Kodiakarai tomorrow. How good is the ECR from Pondy?

Pondy to Cuddalore is infested with traffic and it is regular roads as the greenfield road starts from the southern side of Cuddalore

Cuddalore Chidambaram also is doable with frequent deviations as the roads are under construction.

Chidambaram to Sirkazhi outer is almost made except the Kollidam area.

Sirkazhi outer to Thirukadayur is under construction with very frequent deviations.

Thirukadayur to Kodiakarai via Karaikal- Nagore - Nagapattinam- Velankanni - Vedaranyam is regular two lane roads bye passing Karaikal Nagore Velankanni etc… and is generally in good condition except some of the sections getting narrow.

This is still the best route to Kodiakkarai except you want to take it easy and go via Thanjavur-Mannargudi or Kumbakonam - Thiruthuraipoondi route. Here again the routes are good with almost minimal deviations.

This update is based on a drive two months back.

[venki.bala]

Originally Posted by ampere

Did you use the bridge at Sethiyarthope? Or exited the new 4-lane earlier? I guess you would have exited before and gotten into the town.

EDIT: I also see KMU-Tanjore is totally a new 4-lane alignment

Yes sir. Didnot take the new Bridge. Took the old road and got in to the town

[careind]

Originally Posted by Sridhar K

I will be travellling from Tambaram to Kodiakarai tomorrow. How good is the ECR from Pondy?

I am doing a Tambaram to Vedaranyam run next week. It would be much helpful if you could share your experience after completing the trip.

[ampere]

Originally Posted by careind

I am doing a Tambaram to Vedaranyam run next week. It would be much helpful if you could share your experience after completing the trip.

What I may suggest is:

Tindivanam-Ulundurpet-Vridhachalam-Sethiyarthope-Anaikairai- Kumbakonam bypass - Nedamangalam-Mannargudi-Thiruthuraipoondi-Vedaranyam. Like Venki mentioned the Kumbakonam to Mannargudi is an awesome road. Even I was on it last year and it was brilliant. It would be a good alternative to escape the 4-lane work on the ECR (New NH32)

[careind]

Originally Posted by ampere

What I may suggest is:

Tindivanam-Ulundurpet-Vridhachalam-Sethiyarthope-Anaikairai- Kumbakonam bypass - Nedamangalam-Mannargudi-Thiruthuraipoondi-Vedaranyam. Like Venki mentioned the Kumbakonam to Mannargudi is an awesome road. Even I was on it last year and it was brilliant. It would be a good alternative to escape the 4-lane work on the ECR (New NH32)

Thanks for the suggestion @ampere.



I mapped it out in Google and the Kumbakonam-needamangalam-thiruthuraipoondi ( not touching mannargudi ) is adding 30 minutes to the travel time.
Adding Mannargudi to the route suggests a cumulative addition of 50 minutes.

I am not worried about additional Kms., but the additional time is a concern as I am travelling with parents and the sooner the better.
Do you think I would be able to make better time on the suggested route?

[ampere]

Originally Posted by careind

I am not worried about additional Kms., but the additional time is a concern as I am travelling with parents and the sooner the better.
Do you think I would be able to make better time on the suggested route?

I think they are all in the same ballpark. It all depends on the traffic and road conditions.

[CArspeed]

Originally Posted by careind

Thanks for the suggestion @ampere.

I am not worried about additional Kms., but the additional time is a concern as I am travelling with parents and the sooner the better.
Do you think I would be able to make better time on the suggested route?

I am doing these trips atleast five time in a year.
You will be able to save a lot of effort, energy and a little time as well in doing the Kumbakonam Mannargudi route. The thing is you will be able to do much better average speed as you encounter less potholes and deviations. Added benefit is a much better numbers and options for eateries and nature stops.
I believe in guiding the Google maps that again aids you for better routes. You should have a good idea about the road and traffic conditions so that you understand the suggested routes better and sometimes you will be able to suggest better routes to google.