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The Year was 2008 and I had settled at Bangalore with my better half still in Hyderabad by virtue of our jobs. It had been a month of separation and with her Birthday coming up on the 3rd September, I was desperately wanting to visit Hyderabad. Just as ever, I packed my usual stuff and hit the road, leaving Bangalore on 30th Aug 08 evening. Below is a slideshow including some comic experiences at Hyderabad.

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The beginning of the journey was a bit of a dampener, courtesy my wonderful sense of direction in spite of having a GPS in my phone and my trace knowledge of Bangalore Roads. One guy got so concerned, he started off in his Activa and began leading me without much help as both of us lost each other in the evening rush hour traffic. I lost my way and ended up at Malleshwaram. I managed to reach Hebbal Junction after 2 Hours ever since I passed MG Road.

After a night of playing with headlights on an unfinished NH7, next day 7.30 am I’m having breakfast at Hyderabad. No stress, no fatigue, no drowsiness. The 575 Kms distance went like as if I was following the PM’s covoy (most of the stretches).

While the onward journey was Overnight, the return (HYD-BLR) was a Day drive on 3rd Sep 2008. It took approximately the same time as it took on 31st Aug Night and both ways the distance between Shamshabad and Devanhalli took 9 Hours.

With the  NH7 being closer to completion, there will be a time when the the distance between Shamshabad and Devanhalli may take just about 5 Hours and weirdly another 2.5 Hours for escaping Bangalore and 2.5 Hours penetrating Hyderabad Urban Limits, the way traffic congestion is mounting in Indian Cities.

Almost an Airline Killer isnt it?