Wednesday 30 December 2015

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

Saturday 26 December 2015

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.

Tuesday 1 December 2015

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.

Monday 30 November 2015

Roadtrip from Kolkata to Leh Ladakh and back in May - June 2015

Indian Roadie Soumitra Bhattacharjee, a Kolkata based lawyer by profession started planning for a solo-drive with family to Leh Ladakh in end April 2015.
In barely a month thereafter, he was on the road for one of the most challenging drives in India. He was absolutely aware that the drive to Ladakh via Zojila Pass in May will be one of immense hardship because of slippery ice on the steep inclines, thick walls of ice on both sides of the treacherous road, slush, landslides and all the vagaries of nature.
He successfully completed a 6569 km / 15 days solo-drive from Kolkata to Leh/ Ladakh and back to Kolkata in his 2*2 Mahindra Scorpio SUV with wife, daughter and mother-in-law.
The epic drive commenced from Kolkata 25th May 2015 (Monday).

After leaving Kolkata at 6.30am, the drive took him through Asansol, Barhi, Sasaram, Varanasi, Allahabad, all on NH2 and 800 kms away. He crossed Allahabad around 8pm. He drove past Kanpur, another 200 kms north of Allahabad at 11.30pm.
The thrill of driving to Ladakh was motivation enough for him to drive upto 2.30am and that is when he decided to have a short nap inside his Mahindra Scorpio for a little over 3 hrs only.
In the forenoon hours of Day 2, he had crossed Etawah, Agra and was cruising along India's famed Yamuna Expressway.



25th May 2015 (Day 1) to 26th May 2015 (Day 2):
Kolkata – Varanasi – Kanpur – Yamuna Expressway – Ambala – Kharar - Rupnagar – Hoshiarpur – Dasuya – Pathankot – Samba – Udhampur – Patnitop.
Distance covered on Day 1 and 2 together 2234 km.
Start of Day 1 from Kolkata at 6.30 am.
Reached Patnitop on Day 2 at 11.30 pm without checking in at any hotel between Day 1 and Day 2.


First view of Kashmir valley.




Sunset at Dal Lake on Day 3 of 15.




27th May 2015 (Day 3):
Patnitop – Srinagar.
Distance 195 km.
Started at 10.30am.
Reached at 6.30 pm.






































28th May 2015 (Day 4):
Srinagar - Sonamarg - Zojila - Drass - Kargil.
Distance 235 km.
Started at 8.30 am .
Reached at 7.00 pm.





























29th May 2015 (Day 5):
Kargil - Mulbek - Namik La - Lamayaru - Khaltse - Nimmu - Magnetic Hill - Leh.
Distance 260 km.
Started at 8.30 am.
Reached at 5.30 pm.







Shanti Stupa is a white-colored domed-shaped structure, located in Chandspa which looks extremely beautiful during night when it is illuminated. This peace pillar was built by a ‘peace sect’ of Japanese Buddhist organization to celebrate the completion of 2500 years of Buddhism and for the promotion of world peace. It was inaugurated by His Holiness, the Dalai Lama in 1985. This pillar is known for its gilt panels depicting the life stories of Lord Buddha. It is just 5 kms away from the main city of Leh and is surrounded the traditionally built houses of the locals and snow-covered mountains. Take the steep slights to reach the Stupa that offers beautiful sunrise and sunset views.






Hall of Fame, located near the Leh Airfiled, is a museum constructed as well as maintained by the Indian Army in the memory of the soldiers who had lost their lives during the Indo-Pak wars. It is also termed as a memorial for the war heros. This building consists of two floors. While on the ground floor, there is information about the brave soldiers as and a souvenir shop but on the first floor, there are artifacts of various wars (mainly Kargil war) such as the weapons used during the war and some important documents, related to the same. There is another section dedicated to the Siachen glacier.





30th May 2015 (Day 6):
Leh rest and acclimatization. Also Leh local sightseeing.

31st May 2015 (Day 7):
1st half - Spituk Gompha, Leh palace.
2nd half - Shey Palace, Santi Stupa, Leh Market.
Distance 80 km.

Leh and around:::
Leh Palace:
Leh Palace was built during the 17th century by the ruler King Sengge Namgyal. Its construction is on the same lines as the construction of the Potala Palace in Lhasa, Tibet. This palace had to be deserted by the royal family in the middle of the 19th century, because of the taking over of Ladakh by Dogra forces. After this the royal family is living in-exile in the popular Stok Palace. The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) is restoring some of the ruined portions of this nine-storey palace. While the store rooms were on the lower floors, the royalty resided on the upper floors. The roof of this palace offers an excellent view of the valley.

Jama Masjid:
Located in the heart of Leh town is the Jama Masjid, which is one of the major historical mosques in Ladakh. This mosque is considered to be the biggest mosques in the Ladkah region and consists of a memorial which is known as Shahi Hamdan. This memorial is made in dedication to Mir Syed Ali Hamdani, a Muslim Sufi Saint. It was built in 1666-67 A.D. as a result of an agreement between Aurangzeb, the Mughal Emperor and the then ruler of Ladakh, Deldan Namgyal. Since the time of its construction, the mosque has been dismantled and re-constructed using new techniques.

Stok Palace:
Stok Palace, built by King Tsespal Tondup Namgyal in 1825, in the present times is the residential palace of the royal descendants of King Sengge Namgyal. The architecture of this palace is a perfect mix of the traditional and the contemporary architectural styles. This palatial property consists of a number of beautiful gardens as well as a library that has around 108 volumes of the Kangyur (a collection of teachings of Lord Buddha). The palace is located around 15 kms away from the main city of Leh. This palace hosts an annual dance-mask festival in which there is a huge participation by the locals. There is also a collection of royal clothing, crowns and other important things which you can see while on the excursion of the palace.

















01st June 2015 (Day 8):
Leh - Khardung la - Diskit - Hunder.
Distance 145 km.
Started at 9.40 am.
Reached at 5.30 pm.




02nd June 2015 (Day 9):
Hunder - Agam - Sheyok - Pangong.
Distance 175 km.
Started at 9.00 am.
Reached at 5.45 pm.

03rd June 2015 (Day 10): Spangmik - Man - Merak - Chusul - Tsaga - Nyoma - Mahe - Sumdo - Tso Moriri - Korzok and back to Leh.

04th June 2015 (Day 11): Leh sightseeing.

05th June 2015 (Day 12): Leh - Kargil - Srinagar - Pahelgaon.

06th June 2015 (Day 13) to 8th June 2015 (Day 15): Pahelgaon - Udhampur - Samba - Pathankot - Ludhiana - Ambala - Yamuna Expressway - Varanasi - Kolkata.


Route from Pangong Tso Lake to Hanle:

There exist a direct route between Hanle / Tso Moriri and Pangong Tso as well. In most cases, one drives the direct route of Pangong Tso to Hanle because drivers/ riders can exit Ladakh from Tso Moriri towards Manali Leh Highway after visiting Hanle and Tso Moriri without coming back towards Leh.

Secondly, both Hanle and Tso Moriri is higher than Pangong Tso so as per acclimatization schedule one should stay near Pangong Tso before spending night at Hanle and Tso Moriri. However, all depends subject to the approval of permits for this route via Chusul. Foreigners are not at all allowed to go beyond Man – Merak Villages as permits are not issued to them for this route.

Spangmik (Pangong Tso) – Man (9 KMs) – Merak (12 KMs)– Kakstet (4 KMs) – Chusul (24 KMs) – Tsaga La (33 KMs) – Tsaga Village (20 KMs) – Loma (23 KMs) – Hanle(51 KMs) = 176 KMs

Route from Hanle to Tso Moriri:
After visiting Hanle, one can opt to go towards Tso Moriri from where one can either go to Ladakh or exit towards Manali via Manali Leh Highway.
There exist two routes to reach Tso Moriri from Hanle, one via Mahe bridge and other via Chumur.
The route to follow to reach Tso Moriri from Hanle via Mahe bridge: Hanle – Loma (51 KMs) – Nyoma (22 KMs) – Mahe (25 KMs) – Sumdo (10 KMs) – Tso Moriri / Korzok (53 KMs) = 161 KMs


Most difficult stages of the drive:
Nubra to Pangong.
Pangong to Tso Moriri.


Tariffs and names of hotels where Soumitra and family stayed:

Patnitop: Hotel Greentop, Padora Enclave, Patnitop, Udhampur, J&K - 182142. Ph: 01992287529. (Tariff @ Patnitop Rs.800).

Srinagar: Hotel Mount Inn, Old Gagribal Road, Durgjan, Srinagar, J&K - 190001. Ph: 09906728273. (Tariff @ Srinagar Rs.1500).

Kargil: J&K Tourism Facilitation Centre, Kargil. (Tariff @ Kargil Rs.800)

Leh: Solpon Guest House, Changspa Rd, Leh. Ph: 09906994466. (Tariff @ Leh Rs.1000).

Nubra: Ldumra Oasis Guest House, Hundar 194101, Nubra. (Tariff @ Nubra Rs.800).

Pangong: Can’r recall (Tariff @ Pangong Rs.1200).

Leh: Zee Guest House, Upper Changspa, Leh, Ladakh - 194101. (Contact person: Dorjay Angchok) Ph: 09469261374, 09596862205, 09906989175. (Tariff @ Leh Rs.1200)

Pahalgaon: Can’t recall. (Tariff @ Leh Rs.1500)


Food joints worth mentioning where Soumitra and family had their food.
Mughal Darbar, Srinagar.
Hotel Kargil Continental, Kargil.
Hotel Niranjana, Lamayuru.
Himalayan Cafe, Main Market, Leh.
Dolma Restaurant, Diskit.
Hoshiarpuri Bhaaiyaan Da Dhaba, Hoshiarpur.