Trip to Panchagani & Mahabaleshwar
The Easters holiday was approaching and it made the weekend “a long weekend “ J . We did had some other commitments and we realized lately that those cannot be worked out.With not much time in hand, we decided to visit Panchagani & Mahabaleshwat ( P&M) .
Since it was a late call from our side, so no train tickets were available, we decided to take our WAGON R for the trip. This was going to my first long trip on the Indian roads & I was pretty much excited about that , Since my car had just done the 25 K servicing a month back , so I always knew that the car is ready for the trip . We had a total of 6 members (including my daughter who is 2.5 years old).
We started the journey at 6:30 AM on 22nd April/11 (Friday) from Hyderabad . The Idea was to take the NH-4 till Indapur and they move towards Satara and then to Panchagani but I abandoned this plan once I reached Sholapur as the locals suggested this was not the best route . Since April is a pretty hot month in India , so we wanted to start as soon as possible . We were lucky that the weather was cool on that day which made our life easy. When we crossed the city area and moved towards to the national highway, I was very much disappointed to the see that the NH-4 was a single lane road . Driving on a single lane is always a pain, you have to go on the other lane for overtaking and always the risk is there . At that point I cursed the politician, but had no option to cruise ahead. Details of the route are.
1. Take NH -4 towards Zaheerabad , Zaheerabad is approximately 100 KM .
2. Be on NH – 4 ,cross Zaheerbad , move into Karnataka ,cross Omerga
3. Be on NH – 4 enter Maharashtra reach Sholpur ( 320 KM ) .
4. Cross Sholapur move on NH-4 for the next 30 KM ,Reach Mohul take left road to Pandarpur .Pandarpur is 40 KM from Mohul , the road is OK , but there is very less traffic .
5. From Pandarpur take the road to Satara ( via Pusagoan, Koregoan ) . Pandarpur to Satara is near about 140 KM .
6. Once reached Satara , take the NH-9 ( six lane road ) to Wai , the distance is about 25 KM .
7. Once reached WAI leave NH , take a left road towards Panchagani .
8. Wai to Panchagani is apporximaely 35 KM (. We will have 12 km ghat roads ) .
9. Approximately Hyd – Panchagni : 550 KM
Important points you must consider
1. On all the toll gates, take the round trip tickets ( if possible ) , you will safe money .
2. Always keep any eye on the fuel gauge, and fill it as soon as possible. The attitude of “will fill in the next gas station “ may led to problem as the next pump may be far off , and even if you get one they may be closed or supplies only diesel .
3. Just before crossing the AP – Karnataka border, there is one Punjabi Dhaba in Zaheerabad . The food is good.
4. Even though the road is one way, the condition of the road is better is in AP .
5. Please carry all the vehicle papers, licenses & pollution control certificate in original . ( no colored Xerox / lamination )
6. When you enter Panchagani & Mahabaleshewar, you will have to pay some tax, please keep the receipt carefully, you will need that when you return back.
7. Consider enough time for the MAPRO outlets as the rush is huge.
No comments:
Post a Comment