Bangalore to Ranchi via Bhadrachalam, Sukma, Jeypore, Sundargarh, Simdega solo drive in September 2025 .....
I don't recommend to take this route, nevertheless sharing my experience. I would not do it with family though.
Day 1 - Bangalore - Hyd ORR - Khammam- Bhadrachalam: Not much to write about. Started at 4.45 reached Bhadrachalam at 5.30 evening. Did darshan at temple and went to sleep by 9.30 pm. Roads are good throughout. After Khammam its a 2 lane slow progress with lots of bike and cows. Total Distance 870km tolls approx 1200
Day 2 - Bhadrachalam - Sukma - Malkangiri -Jeypore - Nuapada - Saraipalli - Raigarh -Sundargarh: I had some history behind going to Saraipalli and Raigarh. By all means don't take this detour but directly move towards Sambalpur once you cross Nuapada. Started at 5 am from Bhadrachalam. Before entering Konta my car was thouroughly checked and questions asked about my profession, where I am travelling to and so on. This was the time when anti maoist operation was at peak in Sukma region. From Konta till Sukma there is nothing but CRPF camps. Its all concrete roads with few bus and truck traffic. Also, good number of bikes can be seen. The route runs throughout Chattisgarh Orissa border and pretty scenic. From Sukma to Malkangiri is a small road with village kids asking money to pass through. ₹10 does the trick. Post Malkangiri till Jeypore-Ampani is busy 2 lane roads with average speeds of 50-60. Post Ampani you enter the most deserted stretch of Biju Expressway till Naupada (186 km) with few fuel stations, no facilities, poor network and highway being treated as backyard of village houses. This stretch can be done in 2.5 hrs but needs very cautious driving because of local bikers. Hardly crossed 4 wheelers across this stretch, no truck traffic. From Naupada onwards its back to civilization. The road goes straight to Sambalpur after merging on Mumbai Kolkata national highway (NH53). I took detour via Saraipalli and Raigarh and reached Sundargarh by 8.30 pm. Not at all recommended. You can reach 2 hrs earlier driving via Sambalpur. Total distance 800 km and no tolls.
Day 3 - Sundargarh - Simdega - Ranchi: 4.5 hrs drive. Don't follow google but take route via Simdega. No tolls. Distance 240 kms.
Overall it was fun with little adventure especially on day 2. The region is still 10-15 yrs behind with little mobile network in deserted stretches. But in case one likes exploring India, this is a great stretch to explore and appreciate the comforts of life we live in today's world.
Courtesy: Abhishek Bhaumik
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