Riding from Kolkata to Shiliguri

ToddSoc

Does anyone have information about the condition of the road between Kolkata and Siliguri. I am currently in Kolkata with an Enfield and planning to take a journey to Kathmandu. I was thinking of riding through Jharkhand and Bihar, until I realized that it might be safer and more pleasant to go north through West Bengal to Siliguri, and then cross the border and ride from the far east of Nepal to Kathmandu (with a possible detour to Sikkim along the way). Has anyone done this trip or a leg of it? Is the road between Kolkata and Siliguri in decent condition? Given that I ride pretty slowly, how many days should I plan for the ride to Siliguri from Kolkata? What are some good places to stop along the way for rest and refreshments? If the condition of this route is just too dreadful for my Enfield to handle, can someone suggest an alternative route?

Thanks,
Todd

chief61

Road Condition Between Calcutta and Siligury (NH34 )
is not great , specially inside west bengal on NH34 , when you
hit NH31 the road is great, plan a day ride till Maldah, stay
overnight there next morning start complete till Siligury by
afternoon.

alternate route go via NH2 - Durgapur expressway till Panagarh
then via Suri - Moregram expressway till Moregram then via
Farakka - Maldah same route as above, this Road is comparatively
better than Berhampore-Nadia Route.

Cheers

ToddSoc

Thank you for the helpful information
Todd

KOLKATALOVER

Do you have any idea the distance betwen Kolkata to Siliguri via Moregram and the time required to reach Siliguri via this route?

chief61

Last Month I have driven up/down from Kolkata - siliguri -
Phuntsoling - Thimpu and back, Road are Great at Present (NH34),
Take average about 14 hours from Kol-Siliguri , Moregram
takes little less due to less traffic but the Distance is more.

Do the Night driving on NH34 , which will save time and fatigue
too.

Cheers

__________________
Rainbow Warrior

samik_shutter_bug

dear frnds,
my sister is planning to go to siliguri from kolkata by road on 25th sept. 2009. they will ride a tata indica. 4 people. i am worried abt the road condition and safety. do you have any idea about it? they want to follow kolkata - panagar - siuri - moregram - malda route. plz help.

__________________
Mother nature, I love you.

chief61

Panagarh - Morgram Road is not in Good Shape,
Though NH 34 is bit overcrowded but at present
road is in good condition, and distance is much
lesser on NH34, Potential choke points on this
route are Baharampur, Dalkhola . after Dalkhola
you have 4 lanes express tollway till Siliguri.
Tell to drive at Moderate speed,and dont be over
fatigued , Finally In my opinion Indica is not a
Highway vehicle specially on Indian Roads.


Cheers

samik_shutter_bug

thanks chief. it will help them a lot.