NH 17 (Now NH 66), a geographically misaligned highway between Kozhikode – Edapally

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NH 17 is a national highway in western coast of India. It connects Panvel near Mumbai and Edapally near Kochi. It runs through the western coast of India. It passes through Mahad, Khed, Chiplun, Hatkhamba (13 km near Ratnagiri), Rajapur, Kankavli, Kudal, Sawantwadi, Panaji, Margao, Karwar, Kumta, Bhatkal, Kundapura, Udupi, Surathkal, Mangalore, Kasaragod, Taliparamba, Kannur, Thalassery, Vadakara, Kozhikode, Kottakkal, Valanchery, Kuttippuram, Ponnani, Chavakkad, Kodungallur, Paravur.

NH 17 recently renumbered as NH 66. Kochi – Kanyakumari part of NH47 will added to NH66. But this is not updated in NHAI website. Also it is not updated on sign boards. But we can see that new name in google map. National highways are re numbered all over India.

In most of the places it pass through the coastal area and in a straight line. In Goa and Karnataka it runs through the western ghats.

The highway between Kozhikode and Edapally is partially geographically misaligned. Hence vehicles have to travel more kilometer ( around 40 km). Nearly 40 km and 1.5 Hour can be reduced between Kozhikode and Kochi if government taken some steps to make the alignment straight or improve the condition of other roads which runs in a straight alignment.

At present NH 17 after Ferok deviates from the coastal line and turns towards south east direction and runs through Ramanattukara – Kottakkal – Valanchery – Kuttippuram – Thavanoor – Ponnani. This needs to be aligned straight.

From Ponnani to Edapally it again runs along the coastal area in a straight line.

During the days the alignment of the high way fixed there was no bridge connecting two shores of Bharathapuzha near coastal area. The last bridge was Kuttipuram bridge before Arabian sea. So in order to avoid making a new bridge the alignment of NH 17 geographically wrongly deviates to south east direction and after passing the bridge it again correct it alignment at Ponnani.

If we consider the condition of the road in these area we can sea that from Ferok to Kuttipuram the road is in good standard, we can call it as an NH. But after that road becomes very narrow and curvy till Ponnani.
This is Kuttipuram – Thavanoor-Ponnani reach.

Sometime people thinks that the Kuttipuram - Edappal – Ponnani route as NH 17. Actually it is the part of 2 State highway. Kuttipuram bridge to Edappal is part of Thrissur – Kuttipuram SH and Edappal – Ponnani is part of Palakkad – Ponnani SH.

Kuttipuram – Kunnamkulam- Guruvayoor – Chavakkad route also mistakenly considered as NH 17. Where Kuttipuram bridge – Kunnamkulam is part of Kuttipuram – Thrissur SH and Kunnamkulam – Chavakkad is part of SH62.

Both 2 routes are very good in conditional, better than actual NH17. So we can’t blame people mistakenly consider they as NH. But they are maintained by Kerala govt. PWD so we can’t expect NH standards.

The reason for the bad condition of Kuttipuram – Thavanoor – Ponnani reach is there is a bypass work on going, which has a straight alignment from Kuttipuram to Ponnani, but the work going very slowly. It seems it will not complete in the near future.

Actually the road should be gone through some what nearer to the Kozhikode – Ponnani coastal high way. The same route I describe in the previous post. It has 166 KM.

Proposed Ponnani – Vengalam (near Kozhikode) is the right solution and is more straight than Chamravattom rout. Kerala government already started the project. Tippu Sulthan road which going exactly through the coastal area. So govt. planning to develop this road and make a part of the coastal highway.

New rout will be through Ponnani – Chamravattom – Mangalam – Asaan padi – Paravanna – Unnial – Thanur – Parappanangadi – Kadalundi – Chaliyam. And it should connect to Vengalam through Beypur – Kallay – Puthiyappa. That is by using the existing beach road in the Kozhikode city. Its already 2 lane.

Government also plans connecting Vallarpadam with NH17 by making Vallarapadam – Munambam – Azheekode – Kodungallur – Chavakkad rout.

So the present Chamravattom route and the proposed Ponnani – Vengalam coastal highway has very much importance in the development of Malabar districts. Kochi is very rapidly growing as a metro city and the centre of major development in Kerala like LNG terminal, Vallarpadam container terminal, BPCL, Smart City, Lulu international shopping mall etc. So connectivity to Kochi having low cost and cheaper to all other part of Kerala state is vital important to the future development of each districts.

Kozhikode to Kochi via Chamravattom bridge

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People of Malabar especially those in Malappuram district waited long years for the completion Chamravattom bridge, this is a regulator cum bridge which prevents entering saline water to the Bharathapuzha and keeps the river full of fresh water during the summer season, due to this farmers will get enough water for irrigation and thus the agriculture of both sides of the river flourishes. This bridge connects Thirur and Ponnani. Connects 2 roads, Kozhikode – Tirur coastal road and Ponnani – Edapally section of NH17.

Apart from the above described aspects of the bridge, it reduces the distance between Kozhikode and Kochi by approximately 35 km. Thats makes more sense to me as a frequent traveler between Kozhikode and Kochi.

I thought to do a ride through this route to know the condition of the roads and the traffic behavior. I took by new unicorn bike, brought from Kozhikode and it is for traveling in Kochi.

The route consist of lot of small routes. I took the smallest among.

Journey starts from Kozhikode city at 2:30 PM, as my bike is new and it’s engine run in is not over, I ride at a regular speed of 40-45 km. Passed Feroke on NH17 at 2:55 PM and travelled 12 KM. From there I deviate from NH 17 and took the Chamravattom bridge route. Turned right to Karuvanthiruthi at 3 PM and covered 14 KM.

Chaliyam at 3:10 PM and covered 16 KM.

Kadalundi bridge

Kadalundi bridge – 3:20 PM – 19 KM. Starting from Feroke – Kadalundi bridge road having ordinary taring, road is good, not much gutter. After that I entered to Malappuram district. Kadalundi bridge separates Kozhikode and Malappuram distrinct. There are lot of people stops their vehicle on the bridge to watch the Arabian sea. The bridge is very near to sea. After that the road become very good. I can see rubberized taring.

Took a short break due to rain – 30 Minute

Chettipadi – 4:00 PM - 26 KM.

Parapanangadi – 4:10 PM – 29 KM.

Thanur – 4:30 PM – 37 KM.

Till Thanur the riding was comfortable. There is a rail over bridge work running between Thirur and Thanur so 4 wheeler vehicles need to take another parallel route, that road is not in good condition. But being a bike rider I ride through the coastal highway and enjoyed the good road condition.

Thirur – 4:50 PM – 47 KM.

Good road ends at Thirur, from Thirur to Ponnani the road is jerky, not much gutter.

Chamravattom regulator cum bridge

Chamravattom bridge – 5:15 PM – 58 KM.

Ponnani – 5:45 PM – 64 KM.

On reaching Ponnani I entered into the NH17. From Ponnani to Chavakkadu NH17 is very good, wide, and not much trafic. This sector is the most traffic less NH I traveled ever. Because there is no long rout bus service. Now KSRTC services started between Ernakulam and Kozhikode after the inauguration of Chamravatton bridge.

Chavakkadu – 6:30 PM – 92 KM.

From Chavakkadu till Edapally I can see heavy traffic, ‘s’ curves, jerky surface

Vadanapally – 7:00 PM – 105 KM.

Thriprayar – 7:15 PM – 112 KM.

Took a 30 minute break for tea.

Kodungallur – 8:30 PM – 136 KM.

Paravur – 9:00 PM – 148 KM.

Edapally – 9:30 PM – 166 KM

6 Hour riding. Covered 166 KM.

NB : The other 2 common used routes are given below.

Edappal – Kunnamkulam – Guruvayoor – Chavakkad – Edapally (186 KM)

Private buses between Kozhikode and Kochi operates through this route.

Edappal – Kunnamkulam – Thrissur – Chalakudi – Aluva – Edapally (194 KM)

KSRTC buses between Kozhikode and Kochi operates through this route.

The roads in this route are in good condition. This is the best route among the three based on the condition of the road.

I love to travel

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I love to travel. I love to experience new things with

people who are important to me. I think for me,

it is an escape from the daily grind and an

opportunity to leave reality behind and just enjoy

everything with new eyes, new tastes, new smells and new

adventures.

I think a few people touched on why we love to travel. We

travel to experience new people, new cuisines, new things,

new cultures, etc. These new experiences are new to the

person traveling. I remember seeing pictures in books and

magazines of western ghats, but when I stood at

Lakkidi I was awe struck by the view. I

knew that no camera could capture this incredible panoramic

view. Sometimes, this euphoria of experiencing something new

and wonderful can occur even when taking a short daytrip

from home, like when I visited Malampuzha Gardens located

just half hour from Palakkad. I remember seeing all the

wonderful flowers, dam and lake.

I think it was the

chance to encounter people and wildlife in a part of the

world we knew only through books and media.

Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary, Thattekkad

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That was a pleasant morning of January when me and friend Shanjoph headed towards one of the best destinations of a nature lover in Ernakulam, Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary, Thattekkad, Kothamangalam. We opted public transport for the journey. We took a Kattappana private bus from Edappally and get down at Kothamangalam private bus stand. Bus rout was Ernakulam South -> Edappally -> Kalamassery -> Perumbavoor -> Kothamangalam. Kothamangalm, which is a municipality in Ernakulam district and a town for people of western ghats. We will get buses towards places in idukki district such as Munnar, Thodupuzha, Kattappana, Thekkadi etc from Kothamangalam. Kochi – Madhura NH is passing through Kothamangalam. So we can reach Kothamangalam via NH also. The rout is Ernakulam South -> Kolenchery -> Muvattupuzha -> Kothamangalam. KSRTC buses operated through this rout.

Thattekkad is residing near the Kothamangalam – Pooyamkutty rout. 12 KM distance. You may heard Pooyamkutty, it was in news titles few years back, there is a dam and an electrical power project. There are private buses available from Kothamangalam to Pooyamkutty. We need to get down at Thattekad bus stop.

If you are using private vehicle then go ahead towards Munnar, Adimali rout from Kothamangalam and turn right from Kochi-Madhura NH to the Pooyamkutty rout, and reach Thattekkad.Along the journey we can see teak plantations and part of the forest area.

We need to take entry ticket from the gate. We can see a small zoo like area at the beginning which conteins captive animals. They were taken because of various reasons such us deseases or cought by farmers etc. After giving any necessary treatment they will be send back to forest. Monkeys, few birds etc was there.

Then we walked along the road inside the sanctuary. We didnt taken a guide with us. Guides are available. Their rate starting from Rs.100. About 3 KM we can see teak, mahagani plantations, after that we can see other trees and gradually forest become thick.As per the wild life warden we saw during the walk inside the forest, the western ghats region is about 12 KM near. There we will find leopard like man catching animals.

It was a wonderfull experience in walking through a forest where any time we can expect elephants come along our walk way. we saw birds and bullocks. Because of rainy climate we return back earlier than expected. Malabar Trogon(Theekkakka), Frog mouth(Makkachikkada), Malabar whistling thrush(Choolakkakka) etc are birds found in the sanctuary. Salim Ali described this area in his famous book “The fall of a Sparrow”. Kuttambuzha( a river) is flowing near. we can have travel through the river, tourist boats are there.

For food we can opt village hotels near by or a forest canteen. Both of these hotels have got good food (Kappa, fish curry, rice etc). If you want a decent hotel, you need to travel to Kothamangalam.

Early morning is the ideal time to watch birds. So go there one day evening. We can stay near the sanctuary (Private lodgings) or we can stay inside forest in a small cottage (Watch house) can occuppy a family. It is about Rs.1500 per day for 2 persons. This amount includes food, accomodation and wandering through the forest with guide early in the morning.

Visiting time is from 6 AM to 5 PM. According to forest department arround 320 types of birds are there in Thattekkad. This includes birds migrating from Siberia during winter.

Contact number : 0485 – 2588302 (Asst. Wildlife Warden, Thattekkad), for booking the cottage, enquiry about the climate etc.

Live Search Map For India

A refreshment in between a busy schedule

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Every one need a refreshment in between their busy job schedule. Thripunithura Hill Palace is an ideal location those who loves the tradition of of Kerala. Palace of Kochi kings, now an archaeological museum, a big garden, a small zoo having few dears and peacocks. Our OSBDC team started journey in the morning. Our Project Manager Sujith sir bring his car so the travelling was not a big problem.Others were Jibin, Tomy, Joyal and Justine. Kochi dynasti ruled from Hill Palace, their home, ministers and other staffs and their activities where from this Hill Palace. You can see the weapons used by Kochi rulers in weapons gallery and their ornaments in ornaments gallery. Ornaments gallery is a strong room with metal dector and police protection, it is an AC room. We cant take mobile or any such device inside that.There is a big bath house and a pond as part of the palace. The garden arround the palace is very beautiful to spend some time there, it is large enough for a one hour wandering.
Hill Palace is located on the way to Chottanikkara in Thripunithura – Chottanikkara route. We will get direct buses from Kalur bus stand going infront of the Palace.

We then moved to have lunch from Kayika’s hotal, which is an old hotal famous for biriyani. This hotel is situated at Kochi South.
After the lunch we went to see the Volvo Ocean Race vilage in Wellington Island. There is boat service available to the place from Ernakulam jetty. This is the first time that Volvo Ocean Race has a stop over at Kochi, this is nothing but business, to sell the products of Puma, Volvo, Erikson … in Indian market. They got a big advertisement through each brands pavilion. Then we returned back and end of a nice trip.

Walk arround through Goshree Bridges, Kochi

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People in Kochi often miss this location, we can enter the goshree bridge by turning right from high court junction, go straight, then turn left then you will be on the bridges that offer full scenic beauty of Kochi city, Valarpaadam island, Bolgatty island and Vypene island. Consist of three bridges, arch in shape, allow boats to travell beneath it.