How difficult would it be to drive a car around India?

Australia
March 11, 2007 9:45am CST
Lets say I start from Delhi, drive down to Mumbai, bungalore, up again to Calcutta and back to Delhi. What are the condition of the roads? Can I use a normal car... or do I need a 4x4? Will I be able to find petrol everywhere? Anything special I need to be aware off? Any danger?
3 responses
@bandu123 (70)
• India
11 Mar 07
Well in which country do u live????If u r not an indian its gonna be very difficult.THe roads are so gr8 that ur car will be out of condition after u travell this distance.U'll need a 4x4 car.U'll be able to find petrol only at some places!!!!!. But if u travell by highways they r much better.Their condition is better.U'll get petrol on highways.But i prefer u use a 4x4 car. U must be aware of thieves and cheats. GOOD LUCK !!!!!!!!!!!
@ram_cv (16513)
• India
11 Mar 07
If you have not driven previously in India, I would suggest that you stay of the road in India, or you will just get yourself hurt here. Driving in India requires a lot of skill and patience for the following reasons: 1) Roads: There are some fantastic roads, then again there are places where there are absolutely no roads. So be ready for a real rocking bumpy ride. 2) Traffic: If you think the traffic hours in Australia, Europe or US is bad, welcome to reality check it out in India. We actually drive bumper to bumper i.e. my front bumper nearly is touching the back bumper fo the car in front and we manage to drive this way for kilometers at a stretch at varying speeds ranging from 10 KM/Hour to 60 KM/hour. 3) Driving Rules: Specially if your are from US the right hand side driving might be difficult. Even if you are used to driving right hand side, you need to know the snaking driving style of the Indians. No one sticks to any lane, every small gap would result in the traffic on both sides of your car converging to take that place, you need to have courage and conviction to win the battle and take that spot before your adversaries :) This is just the tip of the iceberg, but I think you can get the drift. Even if you choose to ignore this and drive, make sure that you don't drive within city limits in Mumbai, Bangalore or Calcutta. Chances of you getting hurt or involved in an accident is a lowly 100% :) Cheers! Ram
• India
11 Mar 07
If you are lucky you will go back to your home safely..on indian roads