The Main Eastern Highway, also known as the Punalur-Muvattupuzha Highway, is a vital route for the midland and highland regions of eastern Kerala, India. Officially designated as State Highway 08 (SH-08), it stretches 153.6 kilometers, making it the second longest state highway in Kerala. The highway passes through several districts, including Kollam, Pathanamthitta, Kottayam, Idukki, and Ernakulam.
Key towns along the highway include Punalur, Pathanapuram, Konni, Pathanamthitta, Ranni, Manimala, Ponkunnam, Pala, and Thodupuzha, with its endpoint at Muvattupuzha, where it connects to the MC Road, which continues north toward Angamaly and links to NH 66.
The route, from Punalur to Muvattupuzha, includes Punalur, Alimukku, Piravanthoor, Pathanapuram, Kallumkadavu Junction (where it intersects SH 05), Kalanjoor, Koodal, Konni, Kumbazha (where it meets T.K. Road / SH 07), Mylapra, Ranni, Karikkattoor, Manimala, Cheruvally, Ponkunnam, Paika, Pala, Thodupuzha, Vazhakulam, and Muvattupuzha. This highway plays a key role in supporting the economy of the highland areas of southern and central Kerala, serving as an essential route to Sabarimala, Kerala's largest pilgrimage site, located near Pathanamthitta. The highway provides the shortest path from Punalur (the second largest city in Kollam District) to Angamaly and the northern parts of Kerala, as well as from Tamil Nadu towns like Tenkasi, Tirunelveli, and Thoothukudi. However, it is yet to be fully developed to handle its potential traffic capacity.
The Main Eastern Highway serves as a parallel route to the Main Central Road (MC Road / SH-01) and is the most direct route from Kerala's state capital, Thiruvananthapuram, to areas like Kumali, Munnar, Kattappana, Thodupuzha, Moolamattam, and Nedumkandam in Idukki District.
Towns along the Main Eastern Highway include Punalur, Alimukku, Piravanthoor, Pathanapuram, Koodal, Konni, Kumbazha, Ranni, Manimala, Ponkunnam, Pala, Thodupuzha, and Muvattupuzha.
State highways in Kerala are a critical part of the transportation network, linking towns, cities, and rural areas. Managed by the Kerala Public Works Department (PWD), these highways are essential for regional connectivity, complementing National Highways. They form crucial links between district headquarters, major cities, and key industrial, agricultural, and tourism hubs.
State highways in Kerala, identified by "SH" numbers, range from well-maintained roads in urban areas to narrower routes in rural and hilly regions. Despite their importance, some state highways, particularly in remote areas, face challenges with road width, maintenance, and traffic capacity.
The Main Eastern Highway (SH-08) is a prime example of a state highway that provides crucial connectivity across multiple districts, connecting pilgrimage centers, agricultural areas, and commercial hubs. However, parts of the highway still require development to accommodate increasing traffic demands.
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