BHPian Aben62 recently shared this with other enthusiasts: In October, we bought ourselves a Jimny Alpha AT and promptly did a trip to South Goa and back to break it in. We were very happy with the way the vehicle handled in city traffic, the ghat sections, and the highways. Now I am travelling solo in the Jimny to NE. Having just completed the first leg from Pune to the Gadhchiroli district in the Vidarbha region of Maharashtra, I am posting about the drive along with some pics. Hope the readers enjoy. Journey Route on Google Maps [ATTACH=FireShot Capture 003 Pune Maharashtra to Pakhanjur Chhattisgarh Google Maps www.google.com.png]2815126[/ATTACH] The drive from Pune to the Maharashtra-Chhattisgarh boundary was a little over 1000 kms. Google Maps insisted on the Samruddhi expressway; however, I preferred the scenic albeit longer and more difficult route via interior Marathwada and Vidarbha for an immersive experience. Given the road conditions, I typically drove at a safe speed (50 – 60 kms/hr) for around 5 hours each day and planned to visit some places of interest along the way. For me, the journey is more important than the destination. Day 1: 23 Oct. Pune – Pachod village via Pathardi, Shevgaon, Paithan. 250 kms, 6 hours. Left at 9 am from Pune. Traffic was lighter than usual due to the Diwali holidays, so getting out of Pune via Magarpatta was a breeze. Took the Nagar highway with a pit stop at Smile Stone and then turned left before Ahilyanagar (previously Ahmednagar) onto the bypass leading to Pathardi. It is a dream 4-lane highway for an hour or so before merging with the older double-lane road, which was in ok condition. Heavy mixed traffic, but the bikers and cars were pretty rash. Roads passing through Shevgaon Taluka were simply horrible, with huge craters. I was grateful to be driving in the Jimny, which handled the terrain with ease. Paithan to Pachod was wide and smooth, so I was able to make good time. It’s amazing how one experiences roads ranging from superb to horrible all within a hundred kms in the same state! I chose this route over the better one via Sambhajinagar (previously Aurangabad) as I used to travel this route decades ago to reach Pachod village, where I used to work with an NGO there. Smile Stone Pit Stop Day 2: 24 Oct. Pachod – Pusad via Lonar. 300 kms. 6 hours. I left early morning after boiling a couple of eggs to carry for lunch. The 500 ml electric kettle I carry with me is very handy for boiling eggs, salad veggies, water for drinking, tea etc. I bought some bananas and cucumbers to snack on (and lemons for early morning lemon juice) from a vendor along the way. Really cheap compared to city prices. Stopped near Jalna town for a good cup of chai. After leaving Jalna the road passes through green fields of cotton, pigeon-pea (tur), dotted with white shade-net structures used for seed farming. Farmers sign contracts with seed companies to raise quality seeds of crops such as tomato, brinjal, chilli etc. Moti Talav near Sindkhed Raja The road leaves the Marathwada region to enter the Buldhana district of the Vidarbha region. The terrain changes from level to rolling with turmeric crops making an appearance. Around 12 noon, I reached the LONAR CRATER, which is a must-see! Here, some 52.000 years ago, a meteor crashed into the earth, creating a huge crater, which over the centuries filled up with rainwater to form Lonar lake. It is a well-preserved site. One can also take the trail down into the crater to the temple there. I had already been down there a decade ago when my wife and I came on a bike trip, so this time I spent a short while appreciating the view and took a brief walk around. I drove on to Washim and then Pusad, where I spent the night. I chose Hotel Atithi on the main road just out of Pusad town. It offered good accommodation (AC room Rs. 1260/) and a nice restaurant. Safe, though open, parking for vehicles in front of the building. It rained heavily during the night, giving the Jimny a good wash. View of Lonar Crater Lake Hotel Atithi, Pusad Day 3: 25 Oct. Pusad to Warora via Wani. 200 kms. 6 hours. Overall, a scenic drive through rolling agricultural fields of cotton, tur, turmeric, and vegetables. The road was good enough. Every half hour, the route crosses small towns and villages, marked out in advance by garbage and general filth. I hesitated to stop for chai due to the unsightly hygienic conditions, so I just bought some fruit along the way. Wani (Yavatmal district) marks the beginning of the mining (coal, limestone) and associated industries belt. The road conditions deteriorated due to the movement of heavy tippers and trucks, but the Jimny took this in its stride. At Warora, I checked in at Hotel Greenway. Decent enough at Rs. 1800/ for an AC room, with a good restaurant and safe parking. Rolled out the yoga mat for some core and back exercises to keep in shape. The bed was too soft for me (Last December, I ruptured a couple of discs in the lower back as a result of biking from Pune – Aurangabad and back on potholed roads), so I spread the quilt on the floor and had a good sleep. Day 4: 26 Oct. Warora to Chandrapur. 50 kms. 1.5 hours. The purpose of adding Warora to the itinerary was to visit ANANDWAN, which was established by renowned social workers Baba and Sadhana Amte. I spent the morning visiting the Anandwan campus and then proceeded to Chandrapur town. Warora is connected to Chandrapur town by toll road. Decent enough, but as expected, there was heavy vehicle traffic with uneven surface and potholes. At Chandrapu,r I stayed the night at the Forest Rest House, the booking courtesy of a friend who retired from the Forest Department. Bus used by Baba Amte for Bharat Jodo Yatra Simple Memorials for Baba and Sadhanatai Amte at Anandwan Day 5: 27 Oct. Chandrapur to Himalkasa. 200 kms. 4 hours. Hemalkasa in Gadhchiroli district is at the eastern tip of Maharashtra state, bordering Telangana and Chhattisgarh. The drive through dense forest was relaxing and enjoyable till I reached Gondpipari town, where the trucks, buses, and general traffic were all piled up. Jimny was able to squeeze through for some distance, and then crossing to the other side of the divider through a gap in the divide,r I managed to reach the crossroad. There was a large group of people demonstrating on the road with a bonfire in the middle of the road. Demonstration at Gondpipari Some youth informed me that the highway would be blocked for the rest of the day and helpfully suggested another way around. I reversed and followed the advice. Along with a few other cars, I drove through country roads, which were in good condition, and finally got back onto the highway at the next crossroad. There once again the road was blocked! A Bolero ahead of me was reversing, and the driver inquired where I was headed. I mentioned Ashti, a town further along the highway. He nodded, said ‘follow me’ and took off. I quickly reversed and followed him, with no option but to blindly trust him. It was an interesting but longish drive on a road that frequently squeezed through small villages and finally reached the highway. My guide stopped. I drew up alongside. He rolled down his window and said, ‘Ashti, straight ahead. ‘ I thanked him profusely and continued my journey. On the way I passed Allapalli forest range, where I saw some cars parked to the side. I observed a board proclaiming ‘Glory of Allapalli’ and a track leading into the forest. I decided to stretch my legs and explore. This is a protected area where many huge old trees are preserved. Curiosity satiated and feeling refreshed, I started up Jimny and reached Hemalkasa before dark. There was dinner and a bed waiting for me, and I gratefully relaxed. Day 6: 28 Oct. Hemalkasa to Pakhanjur. 131 kms. 4 hours. Hemalkasa is where Dr. Prakash and Dr. Mandakini Amte (son and daughter-in-law of Baba Amte) have been living for the past 50+ years, managing the Lok Biradari Trust established by Baba Amte in 1973. Entrance to Lok Biradari Trust, Hemalkasa For their work among the Madia Gond tribals in the areas of Health, Education, and Community Development, they have received numerous awards, including the Padma Shree and Magsaysay awards. Dr. Prakash and Dr. Mandakini Amte Your’s Truly with the Living Legends There were other visitors as well and in the morning, we had a discussion with Prakash Bhau and Manda Tai, after which Prakash Bhau took us on a tour of the famous animal-rescue center, where numerous wild animals rescued from different parts of the state are housed. Prakash bhau has nursed these animals himself and it was fascinating to see him fearlessly entering many of the cages to feed and pet them while giving us related information. The animals housed there include leopards, wolves, deer, neelgai, porcupine, black bear, alligator, giant squirrels, and snakes including common and banded krait, cobra, rat snake. Photography was not permitted due to forest regulations. Subsequently, after a walk around the campus to see the school and hospital, I had an early lunch, wished Jimny a good morning and took the road to Etapally. The road wound through dense forest. I was apprehensive of running into some Naxalites but had been assured that there was nothing to fear. Up to Etapally, there was work going on to lay a huge water pipeline. I wondered about the engineering design. A single-lane black top road every few kilometers widens into a 4-lane culvert and then back to single-lane road. No place on either side to widen the road to the width of the culvert. To compound the marvel of design, there is a pipeline running along one side of the road, touching it and on some of the bends actually encroaching on to the single lane road. I drove cautiously. Soon enough, a huge truck came up behind me. I managed to reach the next wide culvert where I paused to one side to allow the truck to pass. Perhaps that’s the purpose of these extra-wide culverts! Gadhchiroli district is being developed as the next steel hub of India. I wonder what the future holds for this verdant tract of forest and paddy fields. Hopefully, the mines and industries will be managed keeping the interests of the tribal population and ecology in mind. Continuing my journey along the winding forested roads, I crossed the border into Chhattisgarh and headed to Pakhanjur, where I hoped to find accommodation for the night. More in the next post. Thanks for reading. [ATTACH=FireShot Capture 003 Pune Maharashtra to Pakhanjur Chhattisgarh Google Maps www.google.com.png[2815126]2815126[/ATTACH] Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.
