08 Saurashtra

Background: In July-2005, after some research, I had bought a Tata Indica-V2 Diesel car, as the most cost and fuel-efficient car for long drives on Indian Roads. Maintainability and servicing at highway garages was also an important factor.

The time has now come to put this Car to use on its first long-drive. After some study I decided to do drive north and do a drive in Gujerat's along its Saurashtra coast - from Bhavnagar in South-end to Dwarka in the North, via towns like Diu, Veraval, Somanth, Junagadh, Gir, Porbandar, Dwarka etc. Return trip was a quick direct run to Jamnagar, Rajkot, Tarapur, Baroda, Thane.

28th August 2005 : Day-1 >> Thane to Surat (268 Kms)

I left at 9:00am and went west via Ghodbundar road to join NH-8 heading North to Ahemdabad. Went past Valsad, Navasari and reached Surat at 3:30pm. Took a room in Hotel near the Rly. station for night stay.

29th August 2005 : Day-2 >> Surat - Baroda - Anand - Tarapore - Wataman - Dhanduka - Lothal - Bhavnagar (402 Kms)

I started from Surat at 6:00 am and drove on NH-8 to Vadodara and too the new Express Tollway to Anand exit. Then continued on smaller subsidiary raods to Tarapore, Wataman-chokdi, Railway line-crossing near Arnej RS, then onto Dhanduka Phata and Lothal. Stopped at Lothal to see the excavated site of an ancient Harappan like-civilization.