Update November 2021
23 October 2010
This is a “new kind” of post dedicated to bring out the bad conditions of the road that I travelled during my recent travels. The idea is definitely not to bring this to the notice of the concerned authorities as it is useless to expect those incompetent guys to do anything better. The intension is to inform the readers about the bad roads so as to “prepare” for it whenever they travel on these roads. And please comment if there is any improvement in road conditions in future!!
This particular post is about the condition on National Highway 13 between Chitradurga and Hospet. This is the road that is widely used by people travelling to Hampi and other North Karnataka areas. The total distance is about 120km.
It is not that the entire stretch of road is bad. The first 50km from Chitradurga is ok with few pot holes to look into. But a National Highway is expected to be a good road with no potholes and speed breakers. The bad part is that this road is extensively used by huge trucks. While National Permit lorry drivers do a decent driving, the mining trucks create havoc. Like their masters, the drivers do not care for general public.
The only major town is Kudligi and good part is that it is by-passed. But then the road turns into completely horrible state. The only people that are not affected by bad roads are KSRTC and mine truck drivers. They just overtake and vanish!!
As you are about to enter Hospet, you get nice views of Tunga Bhadra dam on the left side of the road. But here is the biggest bottleneck. The road climbs a small hill through couple of hairpin bends and then goes down the other side of the hill. On top of the hill is a railway crossing!! This place witness’s massive traffic jam whenever the railway gates are closed with trucks lined up for km on both sides. And railway gate closes 15-20 minutes before the arrival of the train. You can imagine what can happen if traffic is stooped for 20 minutes on a busy highway.
It takes hours to clear the traffic jam. I have travelled on this road four times and struck in the traffic mess for thrice.
A sensible thing was to dig a tunnel through the hill. It is not a rocket science. I think “chopping” the hill would be easier as there are many expects (miners!!) in this district.
There are no good restaurants all along the road between Chitradurga and Hospet. Considering the bad roads and traffic snarls, it is always good to plan for food items.
Team G Square
This road is a mystery actually , in last October it was a complete disaster , then in April this year its was just smooth like butter smooth , again this October its back to pathetic condition . Anyways nice to see somebody being concerned about the road conditions . sometimes i feel that people are used/pretend to be used to these kind of roads .
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Captain's Corner
10 of us did this streach on 5th November 2010 in a TT (Chitradurga – Hampi) and its terrible. One must avoid it at all cost.
Regards
http://www.samundarbaba.blogspot.com
Aravind GJ
G Square,
Yes. The road is bad again… thanks to the "great quality" of constrcution.
Sarah,
Thanks.
Captain,
Thanks for commenting.
Kalpana
how is this condition of the road now. We are planning to go this december. Any updates? Is the pth holes too deep as the road clearance of my car is really bad..Honda city 🙁
Aravind GJ
Kalpana,
I do not have the latest update on this road. If it is not repaired, it is going to be horrible (especially for Honda City)
Rahul
Hi,
I am planning to drive from bangalore to Hospet. How is the road condition, planning start in the evening on my VISTA. Any one travelled recently?
What should be the best route to take…
R K MAHADEVA Swamy
PLEASE UPDATE THE ROAD CONDITION BETWEEN KUSTAGI & CHITRADURGA,ANYBODY……
RK MAHADEVASWAMY
R K MAHADEVA Swamy
PLEASE UPDATE THE ROAD CONDITION BETWEEN KUSTAGI-GANGAWATI-BELLARY-HIRIYUR-MYSORE……ANYBODY
RK MAHADEVASWAMY
shankar
Part of Nh13 that is from chitradurga to hospet is two laned(work is going on to convert it in to 4 lane) and from hospet to bijapur its 4 laned full complete,the remaining part that is up to solapur construction is going on to make it 4 laned highway.
Tiju John
I traveled this road in Aug 2014. The tunnel before the Hospet is opened. You can cross this in a min.
I read news article that it was opened in Dec 2013.
Over all road condition is bad with potholes between Chitradurga and Hospet. One could cover this distance in 2 to 3 hours
KK
Does anyone has the latest updates on this road conditions? I am planning to travel next week. Please update
YellowSub
Chitradurga to Hospet as above. No change. Really bad experience on NH13.
Ajay Puranik
At present the horrible road in India is this NH13 between Chitradurga and Hospet. The road is still the same.The Work to convert it tp 4 lanes road is going on vwry slowly. There are lot of pot holes on entire stretch. However the road is some what better between C'durga and Kudiligi. If this stretch completes, travel time between Bengaluru and Vijayapur will be considerably less.
aravindgj
Ajay,
Thanks for the update. Sad that the road is still in bad condition.