Dear All,
Completed Gurgaon to Kolkata trip 2 days back with one day stop over at Varanasi, and here is my travel summary in very short…
First day’s route: Gurgaon-JEW-ALE-Etawah Connector-Etawah-Kanpur (elevated road)-Allahabad by pass-Handia-Varanasi.
This trip was with family; hence it was a pleasure drive at an easy going pace (but could not resist at ALE and used my bimmer’s full two ton potential).
Departed Gurgaon sector 49 around 0730 hrs. Reached JEW around 0845. Pre-planned stop at Jolly boy Restaurant for breakfast as well as we packed up lunch from Subway. With some delay at Subway, departed by 1030 hrs.
Same old story at JEW, stuck up at 100 kph only….
It’s a 76 km stretch from Agra till Etawah connector. Unlike my last year trip, joining/landing at Etawah connector is now operational. Toll given for this 76 km is INR 190/- .
Road condition from this point till Etawah is average (25-30 km stretch) with two lanes. Road condition improves after Etawah with 3 lanes.
Kanpur to Allahabad sector: Fuel top-up at Reliance bunk approx. 5-6 kms after you get down from elevated road, on the left. At the same place we completed our packed lunch around 1430 hrs. This section is having excellent road, two lanes, but need to be cautious for local traffic, specially bikers.
Allahabad by-pass was a bliss to drive, but traffic has increased compared to 8 months back what I have seen.
Last 90 kms or so, from Handia to Varanasi is in poor shape. Nos of diversions has increased, poorly paved road, heavy evening traffic & dusty conditions reduced my average speed to merely 50-60 kmh.
Reached Hotel Grapevine at Padao/Ramnagar around 2100 hrs.
After a day’s halt at Varanasi for Puja, evening boat ride, Arti darshan, departed Varanasi on third day morning at 0830 hrs, completed breakfast at hotel itself.
Fuel top-up at Reliance bunk, approx. 25 kms from my hotel on left.
Road section from Varanasi to Bihar border remain as pain, no. of diversions has reduced, but humps and local traffic reduced our average speed. And then finally got caught up in heavy traffic jam at Dehri on Sone.
Reason: Numerous tractors running around to pick up sand from dried river bed. So, empty tractors on our side & filled ones on north bound side. They are just everywhere, like mosquitoes. Ended up in 1 hr 15 min delay due to this jam.
Road condition in Bihar is excellent, and mostly concrete road. No complains, a major improvement from last year.
Had lunch at a nice family hotel in Bihar close to Jharkhand border, name: Hotel Neel Kamal. It’s 220 km from Varanasi, on the left side. It’s a safe hotel for family with nice freshly cooked foods. Veg & Non-Veg both were available. Saw 2/3 families there too. If you want to delay your lunch, then next option will be Quality Inn, approx. 140 kms down south on the NH-2 in JH.
At Initial phase, Jharkhand road is in very good shape, however things deteriorated afterwards (last 60-70 kms) with lots on ups/down and poorly patched-up roads.
Entered WB with sunset on the horizon. Merely 2/3 confusing diversions around Asansol and had a smooth drive till home. Hiccups at Santragachi / Kona expressway continues. Reached Ballygunge @ 2230 hrs.
Compared to my last year drive from Kolkata-Delhi, road conditions in Bihar & JH has improved a Lot. Only issue was scorching heat in UP & Bihar. Faces heavy rain fall in JH.
Hope above helps.
Cheers..
Sail