Drive down the Expressway - Part 2

Date: 19-Feb-2006
Time: 8:00 A.M.
Place: Mumbai-Pune Expressway.

Finally the time came when I decided to forego the 'pleasures' of zipping down the EWay. The result? The second part of the photo series featuring the expressway. This time it is from Lonavala and Khandala section. These photographs have been clicked from vehicle cruising at 110 Kmph. The usual disclaimer, no traffic rules were broken while clicking these snaps.

To start with, let me share what I see on both sides of the e-way. This is the section around Kamshet region. Below, hills in the distance and grasslands in the foreground. Sooner or later, this land will fall prey to concrete jungle.

The Mumbai-Pune railway line, which runs parallel to the Expressway in this section. It would have been amazing if there was a train chugging along at that time.

One of the many small villages which have been bisected by the e-way (but connected by a over-bridge). Sometimes, the development affects daily life of people in more ways than we can comprehend. For you and me, the e-way brings Mumbai closer to Pune. For these people, their school or fields may be on the other side of the e-way and they would be required to travel a long way to reach it. Daily!!!

A stone quarry on the way near Lonavala. No significance, just that I like the way the picture came out!!!

Sinhgad Institutes have set up an impressive campus by the express way. I managed to catch a fleeting glimpse of it.

One thing that is good about the expressway is the way exit from and entry to the expressway have been planned. There are ramps that provide the exit/entry to the e-way. One of these ramps is shown below. This is one is the Lonavala/Khandala exit.

The following are sections on Khandala ghat. The first one provides a very amazing stretch to drive. The road curves gradually into a near-180 degree curve. In F1 parlance, 'a very high speed curve, requiring good traction control and the ability to carry momentum off the apex of the curve'. The traction control in our case is based on drivers judgment and skill. The second one depends on the machine and how hard you can push the machine. The idea is, how fast you can pull off the turn without cutting lanes. I managed it at 55 Kmph.

The following section is more of a scenic value than anything. I couldn't capture the view as well as I would like it. But I will try to cover it some time later!!!

This is a old bridge near Lonavala. If I am not wrong, it is the old highway.

We are undergoing a housing boom. Every where I see, we have some or the other builder coming up with his housing scheme. Whether the project is aesthetically appealing or not, who cares...

I was trying to capture Duke's nose here. But the @#$ tree came in the way!!! If I was able to pull this one, it would have been a good looking picture. Frankly, the thing is, by the time the image was clicked the vehicle had moved forward and tree came in the view. Nonetheless, the view of the ghats is nice.

Finally, a word of caution. Please follow the traffic rules strictly on the EWay. At the speeds we drive, there is little margin for error. The guys bellow found it out the hard way.

Sneak preview of what's next - My next series will be on my trip to Aversa and Mangalore. It will cover the Aversa Temple in detail. And of course, my fascination with the highways will continue as I cover the high speed Pune - Dharwad section of the Golden Quadrilateral project and the beautiful NH-17.