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Make the most of the rainy season with these monsoon drives around Delhi

Hindustan Times | By, New Delhi
Aug 09, 2017 11:00 AM IST

Can’t head out over the long weekend of August 12-15, but still want to enjoy the rains? Choose from this list of monsoon drives, and we promise you won’t be disappointed.

Monsoon is here and the upcoming long Independence Day weekend is a great time to head out and explore all the beauty that comes with it. But don’t lose heart if you’re not fortunate enough to head out of the city for a short trip! We have some ideas for you.

A shot of the Yamuna Expressway stretch which is a preferred drive route among Delhiites.(Sunil Ghosh/HT Photo)
A shot of the Yamuna Expressway stretch which is a preferred drive route among Delhiites.(Sunil Ghosh/HT Photo)

Nothing quite matches the romance of taking a long drive while the raindrops bounce off your car’s windscreen; add a playlist of songs to the mix and you’re sorted. If you’re a pluviophile with a love for driving, we’re sure you already relate to what we’re saying. Here is a curated list of eight monsoon drives that you can take around the Capital to soak in (pun intended) the most of the season(and impress bae while you’re at it).

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DND FLYWAY

A route map of the DND Flyway drive.
A route map of the DND Flyway drive.

A no-brainer when it comes to a smooth and fun drive, the DND Flyway is a great route to choose for a quick spin in the rain. The curved roads offer a stress-free (and fast) drive with a view of the Yamuna river and the green cover of the Okhla Bird Sanctuary. The route is 3.8kms long and takes about 4-5 mins on each side.

VANDEMATRAM MARG (RIDGE ROAD)

A route map of the ridge drive.
A route map of the ridge drive.

For those who want a feel of driving to the hills without really making the effort to travel that far, this route is a perfect pick. The hilly road cuts through the beautiful Southern Ridge Forest and the Pusa Hill Forest, offering great green cover on both sides. The 6.9 km long drive can be covered in a matter of 10-12 minutes when driving at a safe speed and is a sure win when you want to share a romantic drive with bae.

MOTHER TERESA CRESCENT

A route map of the Mother Teresa Crescent drive.
A route map of the Mother Teresa Crescent drive.

A shorter alternative to the ridge drive, this one is a route that doesn’t need to much time. Combining the beauty of the Southern Ridge Forest and a view of the Rashtrapati Bhavan grounds from behind, this drive is 2.2 kms long and takes just about 4-6 mins. One should avoid peak hours when looking to drive here.

NH44 (YAMUNA STRETCH)

A route map of the NH44 drive.
A route map of the NH44 drive.

Starting from Indira Gandhi indoor Stadium, this route takes you all along the Yamuna and ends at the Shah Burj, behind the walls of the Red Fort. What makes this drive beautiful is the view of the Yamuna banks, a relatively straight and comfortable road, and also a view of the city skyline that you can capture for some extra Instagram cred. The route is about 4.1kms long and takes roughly 6-8 mins.

DWARKA-GURGAON ROAD

A route map of the Dwarka-Gurgaon drive.
A route map of the Dwarka-Gurgaon drive.

A road mostly kept secret by those who stay in Dwarka, this one isn’t a straight or scenic drive, but scores all the points when it comes to great and comfortable roads. There isn’t much hustle bustle on this route and one can spot migratory birds (or at least the occasional peacock) when driving on this road. A bonus here is the Raju Tea stall that falls on the Old Delhi Gurgaon curve that offers masala chai and pakoras (perfect, isn’t it?).

GURGAON-FARIDABAD ROAD

A route map of the Gurgaon-Faridabad drive.
A route map of the Gurgaon-Faridabad drive.

If you live closer to Gurgaon, this route is the best alternative to the Southern Ridge route. The longest on the list, this road starts around Suncity in Gurgaon and ends at Surajkund in Faridabad. The 30 km route also known as the ‘Pahadi waala raasta’ or ‘Hill road’ offers great views of the surrounding forest area, crosses the Asola Wild Life Sanctuary and is great for birdwatching too. While the route takes about 45 minutes to cover, one can stop at various spots for a good view of the small lakes and streams nearby.

SHANTIPATH

A route map of the Shantipath drive.
A route map of the Shantipath drive.

Another short route that you don’t really need much time to enjoy, is the Shantipath stretch. The route has embassies on both sides, and apart from all their architectural beauty, the maintained gardens on both sides of the road also offer a great view of the blooming flowers, and laburnum trees. This route too, should be avoided during peak hours.

YAMUNA EXPRESSWAY

A route map of the Yamuna Expressway drive.
A route map of the Yamuna Expressway drive.

This route is quite the rage with anyone who loves to drive in the city, but trust us, monsoon makes it look much better. The Yamuna Expressway stretch up till Buddh International circuit stretches over 39 kms and takes close to 50 minutes on one side. For the speedsters, this is one route that you can choose to test your car’s capabilities and rain doesn’t really create a slippery drive.

Your monsoon playlist:

Daft Punk - End of Line

Dido- Thank you

John Lee Hooker - No Shoes

Ry Cuming - Always Remember Me

Danger Mouse ft. Run The Jewels & Big Boi - Chase Me

Queen - Radio Ga Ga

Ash King & Shashaa Tirupati - Baarish

Jon Spencer Blues Explosion - Bellbottoms

Camino - 2-14

Asha Bhosle- Chhoti Si Kahani Se

Lucky Ali - Hairat

Alyssa Mendonca- Khaabon Ke Parinday

Justin Timberlake- Can’t Stop The Feeling!

Arctic Monkeys - Arabella

Panic! At The Disco: Death Of A Bachelor

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  • ABOUT THE AUTHOR
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    Aditya Dogra writes on art, culture and campus, for the daily Entertainment & Lifestyle supplement, HT City.

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