Road widening work is in progress at a stretch of Erode- Karur road in Erode in Tamil Nadu on Thursday.

| Photo Credit: GOVARTHAN M.

The road widening work being carried out between Solar and Gatepudhur on the Erode–Karur Road (State Highway 84) has been progressing slowly, causing inconvenience to motorists and prompting demands for its early completion before the onset of monsoon.The Erode–Karur Road is one of the busiest arterial routes in the region, linking the textile hubs of Erode and Karur. The stretch witnesses heavy traffic movement every day, including government and private buses, goods carriers, two-wheelers, cars and other vehicles.The proposal to convert the road into a four-lane carriageway was first announced by former Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami in February 2019. However, following a change in government, the project witnessed limited progress for several years. The DMK government subsequently decided to implement the widening work in phases.As part of the project, foundation stones were laid on February 20, 2026, for widening the stretches between Solar and Gatepudhur and between Solangapalayam and Kangeyampalayam. The works, estimated to cost ₹55 crore, are being executed under the Integrated Road Development Scheme 2026–27.The initial phase involved the removal of trees along both sides of the five-kilometre Solar–Gatepudhur stretch. However, motorists say the pace of construction has remained slow over the past three months. They point to delays in the construction of culverts and drainage structures, where barricades have narrowed the carriageway and slowed vehicular movement.“This is a busy stretch with several educational institutions located along the road. A large number of people from surrounding villages travel to Erode city every day for work and education. The work should be expedited to minimise inconvenience,” said V. Balamurugan, a resident of Chinniyampalayam.Motorists also expressed concern that if the work is not completed before the monsoon, the excavated portions could become slushy and waterlogged, making commuting difficult and increasing the risk of accidents. They urged the authorities to speed up the project and ensure its completion at the earliest. Published - June 11, 2026 06:50 pm IST