Rs 36.45 crore approved to expand Erode's SH-20

The Indian government has approved Rs 36.45 crore to expand State Highway 20 (SH-20) in Erode city. This highway runs 9 kilometers through Erode, linking RN Puthur and connecting to National Highway NH 544H near Bhavani. Union Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari announced multiple road development projects for Tamil Nadu. These projects include expansions in Erode, Tirupur, Madurai, Thanjavur, Trichy, and Dindigul districts. An official noted that SH-20 connects Erode to significant areas like Mettur and Thoppur. The expansion will widen the existing roadway into two separate two-lane roads, creating a four-lane highway for smoother traffic flow. Additionally, pedestrian pathways will be included. A new high-level bridge, measuring 2.9 kilometers, will be built, along with stormwater drainage systems. Once completed, the SH-20 expansion will reduce traffic congestion and improve access to the Erode Central Bus Stand, the third largest in Tamil Nadu. This bus station connects routes to major cities across Tamil Nadu and neighboring states. Local businessman M Karthikeyan mentioned that this expansion will shorten travel times to these regions. The central government states that projects funded by the Central Road and Infrastructure Fund (CRIF) will promote economic activity, enhance road safety, and support development in Tamil Nadu.