Gandhinagar, Gujarat, India1500 kms from home, I am in the capital of Gujarat - Gandhinagar. Another long but uneventful drive, that took me through two of India's finest expressways - the Pune Mumbai stretch and the Vadodara Ahmedabad NE1. The Pune Mumbai expressway traverses through the Western Ghats for a major portion and is a lovely ride. A speed limit of 80 kmph is enforced, given the ghat sections, but every car merrily overspeeds. The trucks can't handle the gradients and huff and puff blocking all lanes . People in a hurry weave and thread their cars through them. I am in no hurry and smile at them indulgently !
I had come this way during my Gujarat & Rajasthan trip 4 years ago. Two major bottlenecks at that time were the bridge over the Vasai creek north of Mumbai and the bridge over the mighty Narmada at Bharuch. Both were British India relics and traffic jams of 3-4 hours at each of them was a comon occurance. Drives were timed primarily to beat jams. But both have been sorted out now and its all smooth sailing. Wow. The new bridge over the Narmada is lovely - the river is wide here and its a long bridge. Instead of a million trucks blocking the way in an almighty jam, it was all open road. For a taste of the old way read this post from my 4 year ago travelogue.
It was raining today around Mumbai when I passed by and yuk - slush all around. My car has turned brown in colour. Grrrr.
Gujjubens are missing in action. Not a single lady driver sighted so far. Come on all ye girls, this can't be purely a masculine domain. If you need inspiration, just look up to Candida Louis.
Talking of missing Gujjubens - SHACHI - where are you !
Early to bed again. Another long day in the saddle tomorrow too.
Anne in Salem
2018-09-15
Most excited to travel along with you virtually while I am stuck on spreadsheets. I'm glad the start has been easy - hope it continues. Travel safely.
indigoite
2018-09-15
@ Anne - Close the computer, to hell with the spreadsheets, pack your bags and set off Anne :)
Shachi
2018-09-16
Aye aye captain - here I am!! So close to home- making me Nostalgic again!! Vadodara to ahmedabad is a Dream. I haven’t driven it myself but have traveled on it! Hope you enjoy some gujju delicacies before you head out of state! Parents are here with us otherwise would have asked you to visit them and enjoy a home cooked meal :)
Suja
2018-09-16
Impressed by the bridge..You mean to say that India is actually investing in infrastructure ?!! Safe travels.
indigoite
2018-09-16
@Shachi - Was just tesing you. Parents home must mean R & R can be fobbed off to them. Take off on that trail :)
indigoite
2018-09-16
@Suja - Slowly, slowly. Actually the bigger marvel is that the Bogibeel bridge over the Brahmaputra at Dibrugarh, which has been going on for 20 years and which I was sure will take another 20 more, is actually almost done. Dometimes miracles do happen
Peeyush
2018-09-16
interesting!! I love bridge is all function and picture tell 1000 words. Which highway you like more Pune or Ahmedabad ? We need more local picture Ramesh specially like Ganesh celebration or baddy tournament :-) (if you go there )
Sandhya Sriram
2018-09-17
Hope you did take some time out for enjoying some authentic gujju food... I would want to hear you say your post title once in a gujju accent :)
indigoite
2018-09-17
@Peeyush - Ahmedabad expressway is superb, but the Pune expressway is, obviously, far more picturesque ! Baddy tournament ? Ha Ha Better in Bangalore :)
indigoite
2018-09-17
@Peeyush - Ahmedabad expressway is superb, but the Pune expressway is, obviously, far more picturesque ! Baddy tournament ? Ha Ha Better in Bangalore :)
indigoite
2018-09-17
@Sandhya - Really ?? After a 11 hour drive, I'll go out loooking for Gujju fod ? Fat chance !! Whats on - everybody is going gaga on food. Last thing on my mind :)
Vincy
2018-09-25
Heard about the Pune expressway from many about its scenic beauty. hoping some day i could drive through these marvels. rest well as you ride along.
gils
2018-09-25
car oatrapovum feministskaga kural kudukum oray thalaivar enga thala ramesh..
indigoite
2018-09-25
@Vincy - You should ride the truck you once moved, here :)
indigoite
2018-09-25
@Gilsu - :) By the way, Candida Louis is really something. She'll beat most bikers hands down.
gils
2018-09-26
romba "candid"a irupanga pola...and such an optimistic name "can" and "did" !!!!
indigoite
2018-09-26
@Gilsu - Ha Ha. So typical Gils comment. Koncham fasta pongo saar. I am a long away from here !