Background...
Jobwise I got transferred from Pune to Hyderabad and I had a choice to drive or transport my car, Hyundai I-20. Initially I was very apprehensive to drive to Hyderabad. Roads, drivers, cases of frequent accidents made me think twice before choosing deciding to drive Hyderabad. I drove from Pune to Hyderabad yesterday. Its 530 k.m. door to door. I have driven long distances many time during my ~6 years stay in US. I am used to driving alone for long hours. Driving in India is like taming a different beast.
The Math...
I inquired few movers they quoted between Rs. 8000 to Rs 11000. I chose to drive citing, cost and experience to drive on Indian roads, as factors. I calculated that I would be spending around Rs 3000, equivalent to one tank full of gas (petrol).
The journey...
I started at 3 pm in Pune, that was when I got rid of formalities in my office. Previous evening, I filled the gas, checked tires, spare, jack, first aid box, documents, emergency phone numbers, maps, food and water.
I drove non-stop to Solapur around 250 k.m., I reached around 8: 30 pm had few roties, Kolhapur-subzi and lassi. T 20 match was going on in the TV, between Australia and India and India scored low. Later learnt that India lost the match horribly. I started around 9 pm from Solapur I had made one wrong turn which ended up wasting around 30 minutes, later things went smooth. I hit into some delays at Sadasivpet, Andhrapradesh which ate into 40 min of travel time. I reached home by 3: 30 am had some late dinner and slept tight
Highlights...
Jobwise I got transferred from Pune to Hyderabad and I had a choice to drive or transport my car, Hyundai I-20. Initially I was very apprehensive to drive to Hyderabad. Roads, drivers, cases of frequent accidents made me think twice before choosing deciding to drive Hyderabad. I drove from Pune to Hyderabad yesterday. Its 530 k.m. door to door. I have driven long distances many time during my ~6 years stay in US. I am used to driving alone for long hours. Driving in India is like taming a different beast.
The Math...
I inquired few movers they quoted between Rs. 8000 to Rs 11000. I chose to drive citing, cost and experience to drive on Indian roads, as factors. I calculated that I would be spending around Rs 3000, equivalent to one tank full of gas (petrol).
The journey...
I started at 3 pm in Pune, that was when I got rid of formalities in my office. Previous evening, I filled the gas, checked tires, spare, jack, first aid box, documents, emergency phone numbers, maps, food and water.
I drove non-stop to Solapur around 250 k.m., I reached around 8: 30 pm had few roties, Kolhapur-subzi and lassi. T 20 match was going on in the TV, between Australia and India and India scored low. Later learnt that India lost the match horribly. I started around 9 pm from Solapur I had made one wrong turn which ended up wasting around 30 minutes, later things went smooth. I hit into some delays at Sadasivpet, Andhrapradesh which ate into 40 min of travel time. I reached home by 3: 30 am had some late dinner and slept tight
Highlights...
- Roads were 40% good and 60% bad. I was doing 130 Kmph on few roads and as low as 10 kmph on few
- Andhra roads are bit good compared to Karnataka, Maharastra
- There are no speed limits
- You can stop literally anywhere to pee
- You need not expect a skunk or deer running across your car
- You can ask anybody for directions in the middle of the road
Good...
- I reached home undamaged, no damage to car either.
- 91.1 FM was available all the way and it gave good company all along
Bad...
- Drivers in India are very accommodating. They expect the unexpected on the roads and expect you to behave the same way
- People try to rob you at toll gates they will not give the receipt for what you pay.
- Lorries (trucks) blind you with their high beam lights.
Reinventing the wheel...
Ship your vehicle if cost does not matter for you.
Drive only during daytime.
If oncoming vehicle is in overtaking mode you better slowdown
Be very defensive on Indian roads
Expect the unexpected
Trivia...
All the way, I recalled my past drives on I-64, I-55, I-40, I-5, I-74 and incident that took place during those drives. I, inadvertently check for cops and stare into the odometer when I feel I am driving fast. I laughed at myself thinking about, how I used to wait for a gas station in US when I had to relive myself urgently.
Ship your vehicle if cost does not matter for you.
Drive only during daytime.
If oncoming vehicle is in overtaking mode you better slowdown
Be very defensive on Indian roads
Expect the unexpected
Trivia...
All the way, I recalled my past drives on I-64, I-55, I-40, I-5, I-74 and incident that took place during those drives. I, inadvertently check for cops and stare into the odometer when I feel I am driving fast. I laughed at myself thinking about, how I used to wait for a gas station in US when I had to relive myself urgently.
