Superdrive reaches its final destination…

It has been a saga that lasted 26 days, covering 6,200 kms across 9 states and umpteen cities.

This road trip has been so great that starting Tuesday when I head back to Bangalore, I will miss the Superdrive Nanos. They definitely made this road trip extremely memorable for me.

Currently, I am at Mumbai and there will be a flag in ceremony tomorrow at Taj Presidency to celebrate the successful completion of this road trip.

Mr. Ratan Tata will be flagging in the entire Superdrive cavalcade from all three routes (Saffron, White and Green).

Stay tuned to your television sets, online news sites and newspapers for the event coverage as a lot of media houses will be covering the flag in ceremony.

Superdrive – the final few days…

It has been an eventful last 22 days for the Tata Nano Superdrive team on the White Route.

We have clocked 5, 200 Kms so far….stamped our presence in nine states…survived some of the hottest places in India…loved the diverse cultures and cuisines in the various states and are still going strong.

In our final leg of the trip,  we will visit Aurangabad in Maharashtra tomorrow, before culminating the pan-India road trip in Mumbai on the 28th of this month.

Hyderabadi Biryani and more…

The Tata Nano Superdrive team has arrived at Hyderabad and has satisfied their taste buds by sampling sumptuous Hyderabadi Biryani.

Tomorrow morning, the Superdrive Nano will take to the streets of Hyderabad and will aim to cover nearly all of this large city.

Here’s the schedule for tomorrow to let you meet these bedazzled beauties in person:

11 am: Charminar
12 noon: Birla Mandir
1 pm: Golconda Fort

To the Land of the Nizams…

Tomorrow, Tata Nano Superdrive will make its way into the land of the Nizams and the capital of Andhra Pradesh - ‘Hyderabad’.

Watch out for the Superdrive Nano parade in Hyderabad tomorrow and the day after (June 23 and 24).

P.S. The Superdrive team is currently resting at Vijaywada after a long drive from Vishakhapatnam.

Pit Stop at Godavari River Bridge, Andhra Pradesh

The NH 5 in Andhra Pradesh is a great four lane highway and the Superdrive Nanos were zipping on these roads till they stopped at the Godavari River Bridge to admire the vast expanse of water.


The Godavari River Bridge is the longest river bridge in Andhra Pradesh and one of the longest in the country. Actually, there are 2 bridges and cover a total distance of five kilometres.


The amount of water that this river carries during the monsoons is said to send shivers down the spines of the people, but today, it was not that bad, but enough water to make it look picturesque.


In essence, a great refreshing break for the team and for the three Superdrive beauties.

Most Scenic on the White Route…

In Vishakhapatnam, the Superdrive moved forward from the Submarine Museum on the marine drive towards Kailashgiri that stood on top of a hill facing the Marine Drive.


As we took the turn off from the marine drive and started ascending, the views got extremely beautiful.


Every turn on these steep turns provided us with un-paralleled views of the Vishakhapatnam beach line and splendid views of the city.


But, the best views were reserved for the last mile. Once we reached the top, the views were truly heavenly.


This was the most scenic spot so far on our 20 day road trip. Such was the intoxication by nature that we forgot that we had a photo shoot to prepare for.


Soon, we got into our normal work and proceeded to set up the Nano Superdrive Photo Shoot and even found some time to go and pay a visit to the Shiva temple on top of the Kailashgiri hill.

Nano Superdrive reaches Vishakhapatnam

After spending a couple of days in the “Land of the Kalingas”, the Nano Superdrive has reached Vishakhapatnam in the state of Andhra Pradesh.

The drive from Bhubaneshwar to Vishakhapatnam was a breeze on the golden quadrilateral roads except for some minor traffic hiccups in Orissa.

Highlights of the drive today:
Driving parallel to Chilika Lake in Orissa for more than 20 kilometres. (Chilika Lake is the largest salt water lake in India).

Our first rains during this road trip. We have been on the road for the last 18 days.

Splendid views of delightfully green and mist covered Eastern Ghats on both sides of the NH 5 highway as we approached Vishakhapatnam.

Stats for the day:
Odometer reading crossed 4,000 kms today.

Arrived at our 9th state on this road trip.

Watch out for the Superdrive Nanos if you happen to be at Vizag tomorrow!

Schedule for June 21, 2010 (Monday):
11 am: Submarine Museum
12 noon: Kailash Green Park
1 pm: Kalimata Temple

Sunset Pit Stop at Mahanadi River Bridge, Orissa!!

Earlier this evening and right during sunset, the Superdrive team on the White Route took a pit stop on the Mahanadi River Bridge in Orissa.


The Mahanadi river is the largest river in Orissa and is considered quite a sight in the monsoons. The bridge over this river is also the largest in Orissa and provide some panoramic sights of the river and its associated horizon.


Here are some photos taken during our sunset pit stop session!

Pinky over the dry Mahanadi river

On the Mahanadi River Bridge

Lined up on the extremely long Mahanadi River Bridge

Sunset View from the Nano’s Eyes!!

Nano finds yet another admirer!!

We had stopped for a late lunch by a road side dhaba in Orissa. And this where the Superdrive Nanos found themselves a lot of admirers.


Not only did these guys admire the cars, but had a lot of glowing comments about its looks.


On hearing the price of these cars, one of them commented: “Why did I pay so much money to buy a bike? I could have put in some more money and bought myself a shining new Nano”.

Pit Stop at Chandipur Beach, Orissa!!

The Chandipur beach, situated in Orissa and by the Bay of Bengal is a very special place indeed.


This is one of the few places in this world where the differences in low and high tides are the largest. To cite an example, during low tide, the water recedes by as much as five kilometres and one can walk all the way into the ocean bed before rushing back as the water comes back to original levels during high tide.


This was the place where the Nano Superdrive team took a relaxing pit stop!

Telegraph’s Assistant News Editor is all smiles after test driving her Pink Nano!!

Earlier this morning, Anasuya Basu, Assistant News Editor with Telegraph, the widely read and most respected national newspaper got an opportunity to take the Superdrive Nano out on the highway.


Ms. Basu drove all of the 120 kilometres from Kolkata to Kharagpur in West Bengal and seemed to be extremely pleased with her experience.


Here are some photos taken during our breakfast meeting, just after the Kolaghat Bridge.

Ms. Basu with the Superdrive team!

Ms. Basu with her Pink beauty!

Following the Preachings of Lord Buddha!

This is the first place on planet Earth where Lord Buddha preached his first sermons on Buddhism.


This place is called Rajgir and is situated about a couple of hours drive from Patna in Bihar.


Today, this place lies in ruins, but is totally loaded with rich history.

Day 11: Ranchi to Patna

Highlight of the day
Drive through the extremely green Eastern Ghats with its winding roads in Jharkhand.

Moment in Motion
When the trip meter reading crossed 2,500 kms.

Shock of the day
30 km Garbage dump on both sides of the national highway just before Patna.

Surprise of the day
The 30 km garbage dump and heavy traffic on the national highway led to clean and large 4 lane city roads in Patna city.

Stat Meter
Nano Superdrive reaches its sixth state on the white route. States covered so far include Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Bihar.

Big FM 92.7 and their lucky listeners meet the Nano Superdrive at Ranchi!!

Earlier in the day today, the Big FM 92.7 team and their lucky listeners got together at the Birsa chowk in Ranchi and got themselves nice and cosy in the Superdrive Nanos. You could sense their excitement as they ogled the cars.


It was nice to see an entire family with kids add an extra bit of spice to the group. One of the lucky listeners got to drive one of the Nanos, while all the others got an opportunity to go on a city drive with the entire Superdrive team in the Superdrive cars.


Post the drive, all the lucky listeners got an opportunity to go live on FM radio 92.7 and share their afternoon experience in the People’s car!

Landmark Photo shoots from Ranchi

The White Route Nanos at Jagganathpur Temple, Ranchi, Jharkhand

Showbiz team show the location on the route map at Jagganathpur Temple

Laali stops for a brief moment after descending the steep roads from Jagannathpur Temple

Superdrive gets the blessings of Hanuman

Circling Birsa Chowk

In the baazars of Ranchi

Huge crowd gathers to check out the Superdrive Nanos

Pitstop: Hairpin turn in the Chhattisgarh!

The Nano Superdrive team had to pass through various winding roads and ghats before entering the state of Jharkhand.


It was at one of these ghats and on a hairpin turn that the team decided to take a break.


Near our pit stop location was also a view point from where we could get a panoramic view of the entire green valley below. It was truly a picturesque sight!

Of steel plants, power plants, single lane roads and speed breakers!

It was a long drive for the Nano Superdrive team from Raigarh to Ranchi. We nearly covered 400 kms yesterday.

The drive was extremely beautiful as the world around us was dressed in green. Some prior rains had led to blossoming of new leaves.

The entire drive was dotted with innumerable steel plants and power plants. Jindal and Ispat to name a few. We got winding roads most of the way and the roads, which were initially 2 lanes turned into a single lane for most of our drive. But, the highlight of the day was the number of speed breakers on our way. I personally counted more than 100 before giving up.

Mini Cycle Rickshaw at Raigarh!!

Today was an early stop and we reached Raigarh by lunch time. Since I was really hungry, I headed towards the Veg restaurant at Hotel Ans International.


While I was waiting for my lunch, I noticed this extremely cool miniature model of the Indian cycle rickshaw. Not only was it uniquely designed, but also eye-catching. What do you think?

Countryside Brick Industry!

We were enroute to Raigarh in Chhattisgarh state when we noticed a lot of hut like structures covering our side views.


On closer look, we found out that these huts were actually countryside brick factories.


As a thumb rule, brick industries are placed in the hottest stretches of India and this one was no different!

Interesting Head Gear!!

How will it look if you wear road safety equipment on your head? Interesting, right??


It sure did look interesting and induced some laughter from everyone around when Sajid, one of our team drivers was sportive enough to try it on.