Nathakkarai Toll Plaza, Thalaivasal, Salem: Rates, Location and Directions

Nathakkarai Toll Plaza collects toll on NH-68 (formerly NH-79), right along the Salem-Ulundurpet corridor near Thalaivasal — a stretch that carries a steady mix of Salem district commuters and interstate freight moving toward Villupuram and beyond. If you’re travelling between Salem and Ulundurpet, this is one of the toll points you’ll cross along the way.

A Recently Revised Toll Point on the Salem-Ulundurpet Stretch

Nathakkarai sits on a substantial tollable stretch of over 45 kilometres, and its most recent rate revision — effective September 2025 — brought a modest increase across most vehicle categories, even though the single-journey car rate itself held steady. A few things worth knowing:

• Local news coverage confirmed the September 2025 revision added roughly ₹5 to return-journey and monthly pass rates for cars, while the single-journey car fare remained unchanged.
• The plaza is managed by SU Toll Road Private Limited under a BOT arrangement.
• This corridor connects Salem, a major industrial and commercial hub in Tamil Nadu, to Ulundurpet, linking further toward Villupuram and the state’s eastern districts.

Current Toll Rates

The rate structure below has been in effect since September 2025 and is due for revision by the end of August 2026:

A few practical points worth noting:

• Local commuter passes work a little differently here — residents within 10 km of the plaza pay ₹150 for a monthly pass, while those within 20 km pay ₹300, a two-tier concession structure that’s more granular than the flat rate many other plazas offer.
• Same-day return pricing applies only if you cross back within 24 hours, so hold on to your FASTag transaction record as proof.
• Several heavier vehicle categories (3-axle through 7-plus axle) share an identical rate here, which is worth keeping in mind if you’re driving a larger commercial vehicle.

Why This Corridor Matters for Salem District Traffic

The Salem-Ulundurpet stretch of NH-68 plays a genuinely important connecting role in Tamil Nadu’s highway network, and Nathakkarai’s position within it reflects that:

• Daily commuters and business travellers moving between Salem and Thalaivasal, Attur, and towns further along the route.
• Interstate and interdistrict freight heading toward Villupuram and onward into eastern Tamil Nadu.
• Regional bus services connecting Salem to Ulundurpet and beyond add a steady volume to daily traffic.

Where the Plaza Sits

The toll point is located near Thalaivasal, within the Salem-Ulundurpet section of NH-68, at approximately km 73.760. It falls under Thalaivasal police station’s jurisdiction, with government hospitals in Attur and Thalaivasal serving as the nearest medical facilities for this stretch.

Getting There From Common Routes

• From Salem city: Head southeast on NH-68 toward Ulundurpet; the plaza appears within this tollable stretch as you pass through Thalaivasal.
• From Ulundurpet or Villupuram: Travel northwest on NH-68 toward Salem; Nathakkarai is one of the tolls you’ll cross before reaching the city.
• From Attur: Connect onto NH-68 via local roads to join this corridor, since Attur sits close to this stretch.
• Nearby landmark: Thalaivasal town itself, along with its government hospital and bus stop, serves as the clearest local reference point for locating this plaza.

Facilities Available at This Plaza

Nathakkarai comes with a functional set of amenities appropriate to its scale:

• A truck lay-by is available at km 75+000 on this stretch, giving commercial drivers a designated rest option.
• Weighbridges are installed on both sides of the plaza, at km 73+860 and 73+660, supporting overloaded vehicle checks directly at the collection point.
• No dedicated rest area is currently listed, so plan longer breaks in Salem or Attur if needed.
• Emergency helplines cover crane, ambulance, and route patrol services, with government hospitals in Attur and Thalaivasal providing nearby medical support.

Tips for a Smoother Journey

• Keep your FASTag balance topped up before this trip, particularly if you’re continuing further along the corridor toward Villupuram.
• If you’re a local resident within 10 or 20 km of the plaza, check which tier applies to you before assuming the standard monthly pass rate — the two-tier system here offers a meaningfully cheaper option for those closest to the toll.
• Since this plaza’s rate is due for revision again by August 2026, keep an eye on updates if you travel this route regularly, given the pattern of modest annual increases here.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

A car, jeep, or van pays ₹65 for a single journey and ₹100 for a same-day return trip, under rates effective from September 2025 through August 2026.

Q2. How does the local resident monthly pass work here?

Unlike many plazas with a single flat local rate, Nathakkarai offers two tiers — ₹150 per month for residents within 10 km of the plaza and ₹300 for those within 20 km, so it’s worth checking which distance band applies to you.

Q3. Did rates recently change at this plaza?

Yes, a revision effective September 2025 increased return-journey and monthly pass rates by around ₹5 across several categories, though the single-journey car fare itself stayed the same.

Q4. Are there facilities for commercial vehicle load checks at this plaza?

 Yes, weighbridges are installed on both sides of the toll plaza, supporting load checks for trucks and other commercial vehicles moving along this Salem-Ulundurpet stretch.