Sasthan Toll Plaza

Coastal Karnataka’s tourist season has an unusual side effect at Sasthan Toll Plaza — a plaza that once offered free passage from nearby Beloor before that arrangement quietly disappeared, leaving locals to pay full fare like everyone else. Officially listed as Gundmi (Sasthan) Toll Plaza, this NH-66 collection point near Udupi sits on Karnataka’s coastal highway, handling traffic bound for the temple town’s famous Krishna Matha alongside routine Mangaluru-Udupi commuter movement.

A Plaza Serving Karnataka’s Temple Coast

Sasthan sits within a coastal corridor that carries genuinely distinctive traffic, shaped by both religious tourism and everyday commerce:

• The plaza is managed by M/s Navayuga Udupi Tollway Private Limited under a BOT concession.
• Udupi, a short distance from this plaza, is one of Karnataka’s most visited pilgrimage destinations, centred around the historic Krishna Matha temple.
• Local reviews have specifically noted the withdrawal of an earlier free-pass arrangement for residents near Beloor, a change that generated real frustration among regular local users of this stretch.

Current Toll Rates

The rate table below took effect on April 1, 2026, and remains valid through March 2027:

• Vehicles up to 3 axles and 4-to-6-axle vehicles are charged the same rate here, worth noting for mid-size commercial fleets.
• The current published table doesn’t list a separate local commercial vehicle rate, unlike several other Karnataka plazas.
• Residents within 20 km of the plaza qualify for a ₹360 monthly pass for FY 2026-27.

Why This Coastal Stretch Carries Mixed Traffic

The Kundapur-Udyavara section of NH-66 runs through the heart of Karnataka’s coastal Udupi-Mangaluru belt, and Sasthan’s position within it reflects several overlapping demands:

• Pilgrim and tourist traffic heading toward Udupi’s Krishna Matha and the broader temple circuit adds a steady, often seasonal, component to daily crossings.
• Regular commuter and business traffic between Udupi and Mangaluru forms the backbone of daily flow on this stretch.
• Coastal fishing and trade-related commercial traffic also uses this corridor as it moves goods along Karnataka’s western coastline.

Location and Nearby Reference Points

The plaza sits at km 300.480 on NH-66, near Gundmi village, within Udupi district. Kota Police Station holds jurisdiction over this stretch, with Mahesh Hospital in Brahmavar and the Government Hospital in Govind Nagar, Kota, serving as nearby medical facilities.

• Gundmi village, along with Kota town, serves as the clearest local landmark for this plaza.
• Udupi city itself, home to the well-known Krishna Matha, offers a broader point of reference for travellers unfamiliar with the immediate area.

Getting There

• From Mangaluru: Head north on NH-66 toward Udupi and Kundapur; the plaza appears within this tollable stretch as you approach Udyavara.
• From Udupi or Kundapur: Travel south on NH-66 toward Mangaluru; Sasthan is one of the tolls you’ll cross on this route.
• From Kota or Brahmavar: Connect onto NH-66 via local roads to join this corridor near Gundmi.

Facilities at the Plaza

• A weighbridge is installed at this plaza, supporting load checks for commercial vehicles on this coastal corridor.
• No dedicated rest area or truck lay-by is currently listed, so plan longer breaks in Udupi or Mangaluru if needed.
• Emergency helplines cover crane, ambulance, and route patrol services, backed by Mahesh Hospital and the Government Hospital in Kota.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. How much does a car pay at Sasthan Toll Plaza?

A car, jeep, or van pays ₹65 for a single journey and ₹95 for a same-day return trip, under rates effective from April 2026 through March 2027.

Q2. Why is this plaza sometimes listed under two different names?

NHAI records officially register it as Gundmi (Sasthan) Toll Plaza, taking its name from nearby Gundmi village, while Sasthan is the shorter, more commonly used name among local drivers.

Q3. Is there a weighbridge for commercial vehicle checks at this plaza?

Yes, a weighbridge is installed at Sasthan, supporting load checks for trucks and other commercial vehicles moving along this coastal NH-66 stretch.

Q4. Do Udupi-area residents get a discounted toll rate here?

Yes, non-commercial vehicle owners residing within 20 km of the plaza can get a monthly pass for ₹360, considerably less than the standard ₹2,105 rate charged to regular travellers.