India Roadie Devang Sutarawala's Mahindra Quanto overturns near Rajamundry on 2015-12-27

Kolkata based Indian Roadie members Devang Sutarawala & his wife had driven to Hyderabad in their Mahindra Quanto in mid-December 2015. On 27th December 2015, they were on their return journey back home. They left Hyderabad early in the morning. Devang had posted an update to the effect on Facebook in the morning.

At 1.20pm, I (Deep Banerjee, the founder of Indian Roadie) got a call on my mobile from a nervous Devang.
Their car had overturned reportedly after the rear right tyre burst or developed a puncture & the mini SUV drifted to the right and banged the median divider. The unfortunate incident happened on NH5 at ‪‎Gandepally‬ about 50 kms north of Rajamundry (Andhra Pradesh).
Vehicle reportedly was badly damaged. Quite a few glasses had broken. Devang sustained cut injuries on his elbow which could have needed stitching. Wife was unhurt.

Flurry of phone calls to all my relevant contacts followed.
The day being the last Sunday in 2015, most of my contacts pan-India were either travelling, partying or had their mobiles switched off.

After a couple of tries, at 2.40pm I could directly get through to Mr.Jagan, General Manager (M&M Business Unit), NM Motors, Rajamundry. He assured me that by 4pm latest a tow van would reach the accident spot to get the Quanto back to Rajamundry well before sunset.
I even requested Mr.Jagan to make arrangements for a safe & comfortable stay for the couple in Rajamundry.

Moments later, I was informed in Kolkata that a tow van was on its way to bring back the car to Rajamundry.

At 6pm, I called Devang & was relieved to know that the car was already inside the M&M workshop of NM Motors. Devang & his wife were on their way to check in at Akansha Inn. Thereafter, Devang visited some clinic to dress up the wound.

Devang called me in Kolkata at 11pm from the decent Akansha Inn, Rajamundry where he had holed up with his wife. Fellow Indian Roadie Yogesh Srivastava, a senior professional with SBI Life Insurance ensured that a junior colleague of his visit Devang at the hotel. Fortunately, Devang's wound did not require stitching, either.
While talking to Devang, it appeared that he had regained much of his composure.
He was about to tuck himself under the blanket for a well deserved sleep.

On 28th morning Devang visited the doctor again for medication, cleaning & dressing of the wound on his elbow.
I had detailed telecons with Devang and Mr.Jagan throughout the day to ensure that the Quanto is restored to its original condition.
Towards the end of 28th December, NM Motors confirmed that the Quanto can be handed over after complete repairs only after 18 - 20 days.

Devang and his wife are scheduled to reach Kolkata by train on Wednesday, 30th December 2015.

Devang, we are all there with you. Kilometers that separate us don't matter.
At ‪Indian Roadie‬ we travel with every roadie (virtually). The least we can ask from every Indian Roadie is to reciprocate and share every information about their drives/ rides with us. Who knows, tomorrow you might be in dire straits on Indian roads!

‪We are always Happy To Help‬.

And Mahindra's tagline 'With you Hamesha' is so apt. The entire network in Mahindra & Mahindra across India should ensure that the good work continues.

The 'weblink' to the post on the Indian Roadie page in Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/indianroadie/posts/1011976628843488

Bangalore - Kasaragod via Hassan, Sakleshpur, Jalsoor (374 kms) Indian Roadie Preferred Route

Bangalore - Proceed on NH4 towards Tumkur - Malleshwaram - Yeshwanthpur - Nelamangala - Vajarahalli - Crossing of NH4 and NH48 - Turn left and proceed on NH48 - Hatna - Bellur Cross - Adichunchanagiri Institute of Medical Sciences (on right of NH48) - Hirisave - Hassan = 183 kms.

Hassan (Karnataka) - Sakleshpur (Karnataka) via NH48 = 41 kms.

Sakleshpur - Manjarabad Fort (on left of NH48) - Maranhalli - Gundya (Crossing of NH48 and SH114, NH48 goes straight to Mangalore via Shiradi Ghat, Turn left on Karnataka SH114 for Jalsoor) - Bilinele - Subrahmanya Temple (proceed on SH85) - Paichar (proceed on NH275 upto Jalsoor) - Jalsoor = 100 kms.

Jalsoor (Karnataka) - Muliyar - Kasaragod Bypass (Kerala) via SH55 = 50 kms.

Total: Bangalore to Kasaragod via Hassan, Sakleshpur, Jalsoor, the Indian Roadie Preferred Roadie = 374 kms.

Barring unforeseen circumstances, the time taken to drive between Bangalore and Kasaragod should be between 7 - 7.30 hrs.


Click on the map for a clear view of the route.

6800 kms Indian Beach Drive - Day 1 of 19 (2015-03-18) - Kolkata to Vizag by Deep Banerjee

2015-03-18 - Day 1 - Start of an epic 19 days and 6800 kms long solo Indian Roadie Beach Drive with wife, daughter, brother-in-law and his wife to all five states in South India, Konkan coast of Karnataka, Goa from Kolkata, India in my 2011 Volkswagen Vento TDI. 

Left residence near Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata at 3-45am, with odometer reading showing 22830 kms and tripmeter reading showing 0 kms. 

Daughter Diksha, a big road travel enthusiast is visibly happy. 

Left Ashabari Housing Complex, Baisnabhghata Patuli after picking up my bother-in-law (Anjan da) and his wife at 4.30am. 

Target destination for the day: Rajahmundry, Andhra Pradesh. 

Could reach: Visakhapatnam. 

2015-03-18 - Day 1 of 19 - At 6-07am, cruising over the Rupnarayan River bridge before Kolaghat. On Rupnarayan River bridge, tripmeter reading for the day showed 87 kms (Odometer reading: 22917 kms).

Crossing Sher-E-Punjab Hotel, Kolaghat just across the bridge over River Rupnarayan.

Quite a few flyovers are being constructed on NH6 between Kolaghat and Kharagpur.
This and the adjoining rumbles slowed down my average rolling pace considerably early during Day 1 (2013-05-18). 

West Land Baroma Hospital on NH6 looked clean and bright against the rising sun.

Bartaman publications office on NH6, also looks bright.

Bright and colourful! On NH6, somewhere between Kolaghat and Kharagpur.

Note the quantum of luggage!

2015-03-18 - Day 1 - Me with my 2011 Volkswagen Vento TDI. 

This was the 1st stop on NH60 from 7.35am to 7.40am, 181 kms from flag off, to stretch arms, somewhere near Belda, Purba Medinipur district, West Bengal. 

Balasore is 85 kms and Bhubaneswar 280 kms ahead.