Road trip to Baguran Jalpai Beach by Sudip Paul with family in Maruti Alto on 2022-03-22

Road trip to Baguran Jalpai Beach in East Midnapore district, West Bengal by Indian Roadie Sudip Paul with family on Sunday, 2022-03-22. 

It was originally planned to be a 'Holi 2022 Junput Beach Drive' of Indian Roadie group members and followers. However, due to certain exigencies the group drive had to be postponed at the last moment. 

Sudip's family was totally geared up for the group drive. With school exams over, his daughters were particularly excited. Postponing the drive to the sea beach would have saddened the little girls. Sudip decided on continuing with the drive with his two daughters and wife. 

The family left home at Dumdum, Kolkata in their Maroon beauty (Alto LXI 2006 model) sharp at 5:15 am. First stop was at Azad Hind Dhaba, Uluberia at 6:00 am for an hour for breakfast. They reached Baguran Jalpai Beach at 9:15 am via Kolaghat, Nandakumar, Contai. Road was excellent all throughout. 

Sudip has advised us fellow roadies not to enter  Contai town but drive to the planned destination via Rupasi bypass. 

The Baguran Jalpai Beach has still retained its serenity with thousands of red crabs 🦀 playing hide and seek all over the wide expanse of clean sand. Since there is only one resort for stay and the beach is still not accessible by public transport (as in March 2022), the sleepy fishing village has retained its virginity and is yet to become popular with noisy tourists from Kolkata and adjoining locations. 

Roadies visiting Baguran Jalpai Beach can enjoy a swim in the cool waters of this particular stretch of Bay of Bengal. However, one shouldn't expect the luxury of any dedicated changing rooms/ washrooms. 

The family decided to drive ahead to Mandarmoni Beach 🏖️ as Sudip's daughters wanted to wet themselves in the sea. 

There is a bridge under construction on sea dyke road which in the next few years will shorten the intermediate distance between the beaches from Contai to Digha thereby avoiding the hassles of driving via NH116B. 

Since the road along the beach is still under construction, Sudip Paul had to return to Contai and follow NH116B until Chawlkhola to reach Mandarmoni Beach (Dadonpatrobar). 

They reached Mandarmoni Beach at 12:20 pm, took a room at one of the sea side hotels for 3 - 4 hours for resting and changing of wet clothes. After a quick lunch they spent 2 hours frolicking in the sea at Mandarmoni.  

After freshening up the family started the return journey at 4:45 pm via Chawlkhola, Nandakumar, Kolaghat. They reached the intersection of NH16, Kolaghat only at 9:10 pm due to unprecedented traffic jam for almost 7 - 8 kms in between Nachinda and Henria.  Over 2 hours were wasted because of pathetic traffic management on a day when thousands of vacationers in cars were on their way back to Kolkata and surroundings after Holi. 

After dinner at Express Dhaba, Kolaghat, they started the final lap of drive of about 70 odd kms at 10:00 pm and reached home in Dumdum at 11:15 pm. 

Although it was a hectic day, but at the end of it everyone was mighty satisfied. 

Total distance traveled - 390 kms.
Total toll paid - Rs 250 outward, Rs 155 while returning. 

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* Indian Roadie Beach Drive 

* Beach Drive 

* Drivelog