Comments for Das's Roadblog

Comment on About by Timeline-Studios Blog » This was to be the first post

Timeline-Studios Blog » This was to be the first post — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 22:08:00 +0000

[...] 3AM and time to crash, but not before I down a cup of tea and some AXN. Website and Blog (also the Roadblog) all redone, re-themed and updated to the latest version of wordpress. Tweets have been included in [...]

Comment on Roadblog Theme by Timeline-Studios Blog » A new brighter theme for the R…

Timeline-Studios Blog » A new brighter theme for the R… — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 21:59:49 +0000

[...] new brighter theme for the Roadblog – http://www.timeline-studios.com/roadblog/roadblog-theme/ Category Uncategorized Tags Twitter Show Gallery Hide Gallery Video Quicktime (not enabled [...]

Comment on Baby Seats by Shubhodeep Das

Shubhodeep Das — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 05:01:27 +0000

In addition to the above, one has to also make sure that the child is not capable of taking off the seat belt and climbing out of the car seat. I have recently realized this as our kid turned 1.5 years and can pretty much open all belt clasps.

Comment on Ford Fusion by Anand

Anand — Sat, 26 Dec 2009 11:14:24 +0000

I am sure if Fusion was sold by Suzuki it would have managed the numbers and the attention it should have got being a cross over along with Fiat Adventure. I have driven the car myself and would vote three and half out of five for Fusion for managing both the good and bad roads.

Comment on Window Switch Repair – Ford Fusion by Das

Das — Sat, 12 Dec 2009 15:26:52 +0000

Thanks. Anytime!
Did not want to remove the door panel fearing increase in rattle post operation. Need to repair the passenger side switch within the same console as we speak.
Das

Comment on Window Switch Repair – Ford Fusion by fulltank

fulltank — Sat, 12 Dec 2009 15:11:01 +0000

I resolved my problem with the given instruction.I certainly owe you a beer !
(Note : Perhaps its easier to remove the plastic covering around the door handle with the switch console on it than trying to pull out switch console alone – less scratches ..)

Comment on Ford Fusion by Das

Das — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 18:01:55 +0000

Its a nice vehicle.
Also check out the very active Yahoo Group for more information.
http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/fordfusion/

Comment on Ford Fusion by jac

jac — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 17:39:08 +0000

Very nicely put. I am planning to buy one in 2 months.

Comment on Bangalore to Calcutta – Part 2 by Das

Das — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 06:59:14 +0000

December is ideal time to drive down actually. Our plan was in december but got pushed back due to various reasons. Do a study of Naxal Related political disturbances around north Orissa before heading out. Although its supposed to be absolutely safe, but it’s better to be informed.

[edit] Also you will get most of the road in it’s complete state after one year has passed (hopefully). Good luck and write in on your experience.

Comment on Bangalore to Calcutta – Part 2 by Gururaj Hebbar

Gururaj Hebbar — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 06:45:16 +0000

Hello das,
I drive down to chennai may be 3 times a month in my car from bangalore and I always envy looking at the signage of kolkata mentioned along right from krishnagiri .
I have Hyundai Verna CRDI SX ABS ( Diesel High end)I am truely inspired by your write up and this has pushed me to venture into this route may be december mid ( considering weather).
I plan to travel with my wife and 2 more of my friends.
Pls suggest anything comes into your mind on my plans.
Thanks.

Comment on Bangalore to Madikeri, Irpu, Abbey Falls, Nagerhole by Das

Das — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 12:50:44 +0000

Well Tejash, that trip was a while back, 2007 December I think. The road till Madikeri was in great condition when I went recently, however the roads till Irpu may need a recheck from someone that’s done the route recently. Since it’s a common tourist destination, chances are they won’t be that bad.

Comment on Bangalore to Madikeri, Irpu, Abbey Falls, Nagerhole by Tejash

Tejash — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 12:24:14 +0000

Hi Das…. amazing details you have posted… just wanted to check with you regarding the condition of the roads… i am planning a trip, would really help me if you could tell me how is the road condition….

Comment on Bangalore to Calcutta – Part 1 by Das

Das — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 15:16:16 +0000

Hi Sanjeev,
Assuming that you are heading to Bhubaneswar – Puri from Kolkata, you will not face any problems regarding road quality on your way. If you are headed from Bangalore, then yes.. the roads are under construction as soon as you near Chilika in Orissa. In fact some parts are the good old NH5. Have a great trip.

Comment on Bangalore to Calcutta – Part 1 by Sanjeev Das

Sanjeev Das — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 06:27:57 +0000

Thanks for the excellent travellogue on your trip to Kolkata.
I am planning a trip to Bhubaneswar – Puri during Puja in September 2009. I have read in other older blogs that the NH5 section near the Orissa, Andhra border is still not complete. Can you please provide more info on the same?

Comment on Bangalore to Sivanasamudram by Das

Das — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 11:13:41 +0000

Hi Sharath,
It’s good to visit the waterfalls right after or during rains to get maximum view. In my opinion, it’s a good view all year round.
Das

Comment on Bangalore to Sivanasamudram by sharath

sharath — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 10:40:24 +0000

can i know from you if the waterfalls has good enough waters now…
would it be good time to visit?

Comment on Bangalore to Calcutta – Part 1 by Das

Das — Sat, 23 May 2009 03:10:53 +0000

Your summary is correct. There are no rebel problems on the main road. That is mostly inside Orissa (though I never met any but heard a lot of stories about them from Locals). NH5 continues till Balasore, the bad patches are near Chilka and Ichhapuram. After Khurda the road is more or less done (don’t remember much of it as I came and joined back from Konark at Khurda itself).

In Chennai, you may face problems with directions and the general lack of help from Locals. Try and head to the newly made Flyover (it’s a major one) and go straight through. Ask a Police person when you are entering Chennai. Your Registration plate determines the kind of information you will get.

Comment on Bangalore to Calcutta – Part 1 by Sasanka Sekhar Chanda

Sasanka Sekhar Chanda — Fri, 22 May 2009 20:13:44 +0000

Das [Sorry cannot find your full name],

I could not get the content of Tirthankar’s log, got an invalid link. If the link works for you it would be great if you could mail the story to sasanka_s1@rediffmail.com.

My understanding: If I stick to NH5[GQ]and headed to calcutta , bad roads in Andhra and Orrisa sections are only in [Ichhapuram till Khurda (or little after) ]. Places taken over by rebels, or where road simply vanishes and gets replaced with a set of potholes or paddy fields do not occur. After Khurda [approx], there is no big road problem till kharagpur/kolaghat, not even one at the Bengal-Orissa border. Let me know if something in this summary is not correct.

I am familiar with Kharagpur-Kolkata road section, and have sufferred the 1-way on Kolaghat bridge a few times.

I have travelled Bangalore-Chennai via Krishnagiri. But I dread the dug up stretch on Ponamalee road entry to Chennai and finding the NH5 towards Vijaywada [or vijayawada road] with no language support. I am weighing, which is the lesser evil- that or the narrow sections in the bangalore-hoskote-Tirupati {chittor actually]-Nellore section. And a baby is involved – a hyper active 2.5 year old. Probably my dream trip needs to wait :=).

Thank you very much for the information.
Regards
Sasanka

Comment on Bangalore to Sivanasamudram by Das

Das — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 07:52:46 +0000

Its a nice place to visit when in Bangalore, and not too far out either.

Comment on Bangalore to Sivanasamudram by Papia

Papia — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 06:47:46 +0000

Excellent blog on the waterfalls, I have often wondered about them on trips to Bangalore. I love travel blogs keep them rolling, it helps a lot

Comment on Bangalore to Calcutta – Part 1 by Das

Das — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 16:00:19 +0000

@Sasanka: I had to get to Rourkela and that’s the maximum stretch of Bad Roads that I faced through Talcher. If you are headed to Calcutta, you stick to NH5 (GQ) till Balasore and take the Golden Quadrilateral directly to Kharagpur. Careful of Kolaghat bridge after Kharagpur. Road condition, from Ichhapuram till Khurda (or little after) is under construction and stalled in some places.

Coming to your second question, if you stick to NH5 in Andhra, the going is really good. I would not recommend via Tirupati although that is shorter. Enjoy the 4 lane GQ roads via Krishnagiri and Chennai. With 2 drivers and no kids around, you can start early from Bangalore, like 3AM or 4AM, and reach Vijaywada definitely by afternoon 2 PM. You can push till Vizag (4 more hours) on the same day. Start early and target Calcutta the next day. Ideally it should take around 36 hours of total driving. Check Team BHP Tirthankar’s log here as well. http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/travelogues/46904-drivoblog-bangalore-kolkata-36-hours-nonstop-11.html

Comment on Bangalore to Calcutta – Part 1 by Sasanka Sekhar Chanda

Sasanka Sekhar Chanda — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 12:17:02 +0000

I have some questions:

1. As in April 2009: Which road sections in Orissa are the worst? Start, End, Distance, Time it takes to cover them.

2. Any such sections in Andhra? [I know the Bengal and KN parts ].

3. We are 2 drivers who do 5AM to 8PM [day driving only]@13 hr a day. Realistically can we make it from BLR to CCU in 2 days and 5 hours of Day 3 {total 30 driving hours}? Our car is 2005 Esteem VXI.
Comparison: We do Bangalore – Panaji 630 KM in about 13 hrs. [over 400 km non-highway].

4. Would you recommend going via Tirupati / Nellore, in place of via Chennai?

5. Your account mentions the Coromondol Crash. That means your travel was in Feb mid of 2009?
[Meaning I can expect no improvement of road conditions]. Any other information from someone travelled recently or any road condition/ detour tip from your return will be helpful.

Comment on Bangalore to Calcutta – Part 1 by jaydeep

jaydeep — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 17:58:52 +0000

excellent. I’ve read this whole thing twice.
And would read it at least once more till your next on-road venture gets featured
_Jaydeep

Comment on Bangalore to Calcutta – Part 1 by das

das — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 13:35:35 +0000

Sure. Anytime.
Roadtrips are the best according to me.

Comment on Bangalore to Calcutta – Part 1 by Dhruba

Dhruba — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 11:38:01 +0000

Wonderful. Great one to talk about. Would like to have a long road journey with you in future, we can share driving part by part !!

Comment on Dealing with animals on the Highway by das

das — Mon, 09 Mar 2009 16:11:11 +0000

Ha ha. Will have a separate article about them. Too much to say about that in one post, but I believe I have a write-up on facebook on that.

Comment on Bangalore to Madikeri, Irpu, Abbey Falls, Nagerhole by Amol Gurwara

Amol Gurwara — Mon, 09 Mar 2009 15:55:51 +0000

Wow! You’ve been to some very cool places.

Comment on Dealing with animals on the Highway by Amol Gurwara

Amol Gurwara — Mon, 09 Mar 2009 15:52:02 +0000

What about humans with the IQ of donkeys driving on 2 or 3 and at times 4 wheels?