Pune - Nagpur - Tadoba - Pune in January 2023.
I was waiting for an opportunity to drive recently inaugurated Samrudhi Mahamarg. This trip was planned for both wildlife and driving via the most discussed Expressway in recent days.
Total Distance covered: 1906 Kms (to and fro).
To Tadoba Moharli Gate: (Nonstop drive) total time taken: 9 hrs 15 mins
Started at 4.30 am and reached MTDC Moharli at 1.45 pm.
Total distance: 827 Kms.
I was able to have lunch at Tadoba MTDC and entered into afternoon safari at 2.30 pm.
Route Taken: Pune (Baner) - Sangamner -Shridi – Expressway – Nagpur butibori exit -Jamb - Temburdha - Shegaon Bk - Moharli.
Pune to Sangamner: 141Kms – Reached at 6.15am
Sangamner to Shridi 50 Kms – Reached at 7.10 am.
Diesel break for 10 mins.
Entered Expressway entry at 7.30 am.
Expressway entry to Nagpur Butibori Exit – Total 511 Kms.
Reached at 11.25 am. Had 10 minutes diesel & toilet break at expressway. Sometimes Illegally driven beyond speed limits as I was not able to realize that speed was exceeding 120 kmph.
First Fuel station was after 212 Kms of entry at Shridi. So be prepared with enough fuels to cover the distance.
Undoubtedly, at present this is the best highway in India - you can maintain constant speed all the way. Currently traffic is very less. Wide roads with excellent views in driver seat for long distance and 180-degree visibility. One should be cautioned for unexpected entries of dogs and langurs so you should be in mind minimum of 100 mtrs of braking distance.
Butibori Exit – Temburdha - Distance 75Kms reached at 12.30
Temburdha to MTDC Moharli via Shegaon. – 50kms . Reached MTDC at 1.45pm
Those planning to visit Tadoba, Moharli /Navegaon gates can take left turn from Temburdha via village roads instead of Chandrapur route, which will save 30 - 45 mins. Single lane roads through villages but manageable. Very few bad patches via beautiful villages and buffer of Tadoba Moharli zone.
I was lucky enough to have good wildlife sightings including 5 tigers, wild dogs, visons and regular common herbivorous animals in the region.
One of the safaris were in the opposite side of Tadoba at Kosla Zone; gate named Pangdi. Distance from Moharli to Pangdi was 103kms ; Since I select morning safari here, I had to start at 4.15 am from Moharli to reach there before 6.30 am.
Route: Moharli – Chandrapur - Mul - take left at Gatchiroli junction and drive approx 18 kms till Rajoli and take left from there.
Pangadi gate is completely isolated area and very basic amenities are available.
No network coverage & one home stay is the only option for night stay with limited beds. This zone is allowed for only one safari vehicle so those love wilderness will really enjoy the place.
Pangdi safari turned out the best opportunity of tiger sighting with very rare scene of tiger mating. Those who plan their safari here has excellent chances for tiger sightings. Other animal sightings are comparatively less in this zone. As per information available from guides, tiger sightings are often in the region.
Return route:
Moharli - Temburdha - Jamb - Wardha -Express way - Shirdi exit - Sinnar - Sangamner - Pune.
Total: 835kms.
I returned via same route from Moharli till Jamb and entered expressway via Wardha.
Jamb - Wardha is excellent road and can easily reach expressway within 30 mins from Jamb. 30 mins can be saved if you drive via this route.
After exit from expressway at Shirdi, I drove via Sinnar and reached Sangamner. Shirdi – Sinnar road is almost completed with four lane but few diversions before completions increased the travel time. Once expressway construction is completed, anyone travelling from/to Pune can enter/exit at Sinner which will be fastest route towards Nagpur.
As it stands now, while driving from Pune to Nagpur, entering Samrudhi Expressway via Sangamner - Shirdi entrance will involve driving longer distance vis-a-vis Pune - Ahmednagar - Aurangabad - Jalna entrance but will save substantial overall driving time.
I entered Shrdi Expressway entry at 7.30 am and reached Jalna around 8.35 am. A more sedate driver can easily drive the distance of 140 kms in less than 90 minutes.
Few photos of Samruddhi Expressway and Tadoba wildlife are attached.
More information about Tadoba:
All safaris are strictly through Tadoba Tiger Reserve official website. Even if you are going through tour operators/ third party they have to do same, presenting government ID cards are must and authorities will thourghly check whether same person is traveling.
Also plan bookings in advance as Tadoba tickets are in very high demand - bookings may not be available even if you try 2 week early. There are limited Tatkal entries which will open 3 days prior on safari date
I stayed at MTDC Moharli. Those who are planning safaris in Moharli/ Khudwanda core and Azargari/ Devada buffer zone this is convenient . Any other zones you may find appropriate hotels as some of the tadoba entries are too far from Moharli gate.
Courtesy: Sunil Titto.
