NH544: Route and places to visit

National Highway 544, also known as NH544 (old number NH47), is a 340-kilometre (km)-long National Highway in south India that connects Salem in Tamil Nadu to Kochi in Kerala. It is also known as the Salem-Kochi Highway. The highway connects numerous key cities and towns in Kerala and Tamil Nadu, including Salem, Erode, Coimbatore, Palakkad, Thrissur and Kochi.

It is an extension of National Highway 44 (NH44), which constitutes the North-South Corridor of India’s National Highway network. It runs to the south of Coimbatore. The NH544 is Kerala’s sole four-lane (partially six-lane) highway, including the Kuthiran Road Tunnel. It was previously known as National Highway 47 (NH47).

See also: Bangalore-Mysore Expressway: Route, map, toll, latest news

NH 544: Major intersections

NH544: Bangalore to Coimbatore route details

The NH544 is a direct route between Bangalore and Coimbatore. It is also the quickest because traffic on this route is consistent, and there are no road closures. The journey between Bangalore and Coimbatore on this 360-km route takes approximately seven hours. For the most up-to-date information on road conditions, always consult live maps and immediate traffic updates.

NH544: Surveillance

The Kerala Road Safety Authority (KSRA) has completed the first phase of installing advanced traffic enforcement systems on the Edappally-Mannuthy stretch of NH544. This project includes 65 high-tech systems at 23 locations, utilising sensors, detectors and high-resolution cameras. Violations will be captured, offenders identified and notices issued based on vehicle visuals and registration plates. The KSRA, along with the Motor Vehicles Department and technical support from Keltron, is implementing this project as part of their commitment to promoting road safety during the ‘decade of action for road safety’ from 2011-2020.

NH544: Popular sights/monuments to be seen along this route

• Thorapalli’s Rajaji Memorial: It is a museum commemorating the birthplace and previous residence of last Governor-General of India Chakravarti Rajagopalachari.
• Krishnagiri Government Museum (Archaeological Museum), Krishnagiri: This museum has archaeological exhibits dating back to the Stone Age.
• Arulmigu Sugavaneswarar Swamy Temple, Salem: It is a five-hundred-year-old Shiva temple notable for its towers.
• Kalingarayan Anicut, Bhavani: It is a famous local dam on the Bhavani River built in the 13th century, excellent for views.

NH544: Restaurants along this route

• Sun Fast Food Pure Veg, Hosur, where Vegetarian South and North Indian dishes are served in a standing-only atmosphere suitable for families and children.
• New Sakthi Fast Food, Krishnagiri – It is a fast food restaurant that serves Chinese cuisine and biryani at reasonable prices.
• Tangerine, The World Kitchen, Salem – This restaurant is part of the Radisson Salem, serving high-quality vegetarian and non-vegetarian fare.
• Adyar Ananda Bhavan A2B Veg Restaurant, Perundurai – A family-friendly restaurant franchise that serves vegetarian south Indian cuisine.

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