Nellore Toll Plaza, Venkatachalam, Andhra Pradesh: Rates, Location and Directions

Nellore Toll Plaza sits on NH-16, collecting toll on the Tada-Nellore corridor near Venkatachalam — a stretch that carries a steady mix of coastal Andhra Pradesh traffic moving between Chennai and Nellore. If you’re travelling along this coastal highway, this is one of the plazas you’ll cross before or after reaching Nellore city.

Nellore Toll Plaza

Quick Facts Details
Highway NH-16 (formerly NH-5)
Stretch Tada – Nellore
Location Venkatachalam, Km 155.000
District Nellore, Andhra Pradesh
Coordinates 14.312218° N, 79.916296° E
Project type BOT (Toll)
Toll lanes 8
Car toll (single journey) ₹35
Rates valid July 2025 – June 2026

A Coastal Corridor Plaza Officially Known as Venkatachallam

This toll point is officially registered as “Venkatachallam Fee Plaza” in NHAI records, named after the town where it’s located, though many travellers simply refer to it by its association with Nellore city. Both names point to the exact same collection point on NH-16. A few things worth knowing:

  • The plaza covers a tollable stretch of just over 25 kilometres between Tada and Nellore, one of the shorter sections on this coastal corridor.
  • Collection is managed by Swarna Tollway Private Limited under a BOT arrangement.
  • This stretch is part of the broader Chennai-Kolkata coastal highway network, carrying traffic well beyond just local Nellore commuters.

Current Toll Rates

The rate structure below has been in effect since July 2025 and is due for revision by June 2026, so it’s worth checking for an updated table if you’re reading this closer to that date:

Vehicle Type Single Journey Local Commercial Vehicles
Car / Jeep / Van ₹35 ₹20
LCV ₹65 ₹35
Bus / Truck ₹130 ₹65
Vehicle up to 3 axles ₹280 ₹140
4 to 6 axle vehicle ₹280 ₹140
HCM/EME ₹280 ₹140
7 or more axles ₹280 ₹140

A few honest observations about this rate structure:

  • The published table doesn’t currently list a same-day return fare or a standard monthly pass figure — an unusual gap compared to most other Andhra Pradesh plazas, so it’s worth confirming directly at the toll office if either option applies to your travel needs.
  • Several heavier vehicle categories (3-axle through 7-plus axle) are shown at an identical ₹280 rate, which may reflect how this particular concession structures its heavy-vehicle tiers.
  • Given the rate is due for revision soon, don’t be surprised if a new fee schedule takes effect shortly — checking the posted board at the plaza is the safest way to confirm current pricing.

Why This Stretch Matters for Coastal AP Traffic

The Tada-Nellore section of NH-16 plays a meaningful role connecting Andhra Pradesh’s southern coastal belt to the broader Chennai-Kolkata highway network:

  • Interstate traffic moving between Chennai and Nellore, and onward toward Ongole and Vijayawada, passes through this stretch regularly.
  • Regional commuter and commercial traffic connecting Nellore city to towns like Venkatachalam adds to the daily flow.
  • Freight moving along this coastal corridor toward the broader NH-16 network contributes a steady commercial component.

Where the Plaza Sits

The toll point is located near Venkatachalam, within the Tada-Nellore section of NH-16, at approximately km 155.000. It falls under Venkatachalam police station’s jurisdiction, with Sai Specialty Clinic and ESIC Hospital in nearby Vedayapalem, Nellore, serving as the closest medical facilities.

Getting There From Common Routes

  • From Nellore city: Head south on NH-16 toward Tada and Chennai; the plaza appears within this tollable stretch as you leave the city.
  • From Tada or Chennai direction: Travel north on NH-16 toward Nellore; this is one of the tolls you’ll cross before reaching the city.
  • From Venkatachalam town itself: The plaza sits directly on the highway near this town, making it easily accessible via the main NH-16 connector.
  • Nearby landmark: Venkatachalam town, along with Vedayapalem in Nellore, serves as a reliable local reference point for pinpointing this plaza’s location.

What to Expect at This Plaza

  • FASTag is mandatory, consistent with every national highway plaza — vehicles without a valid, funded tag are charged double the applicable toll.
  • No dedicated truck lay-by or weighbridge is currently listed at this plaza, so plan any longer breaks or load checks in Nellore city instead.
  • Emergency helplines cover crane, ambulance, and route patrol services, with medical facilities in Vedayapalem, Nellore providing nearby support.
  • Since this is a relatively short tollable stretch, rates here run lower than many longer sections on the same NH-16 corridor.

Tips for a Smoother Journey

  • Keep your FASTag balance topped up before this trip, especially if you’re continuing further along the coastal corridor toward Chennai or Ongole.
  • Since the published rate table doesn’t clearly show a return-journey discount or monthly pass, ask directly at the toll office if you commute this stretch regularly and want to explore cost-saving options.
  • Given that this plaza’s rate is due for revision soon, avoid relying on older cached figures from third-party toll calculators — the posted board at the booth is your most reliable source.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. How much does a car pay at Nellore (Venkatachalam) Toll Plaza?

A car, jeep, or van pays ₹35 for a single journey, based on the rate notification effective from July 2025.

Q2. Why is this plaza sometimes listed as “Venkatachallam” instead of “Nellore”?

NHAI’s official records register this toll point as “Venkatachallam Fee Plaza,” named after the town where it’s located, though many travellers associate it with nearby Nellore city — both names refer to the same plaza on NH-16.

Q3. Is there a return-journey discount at this plaza?

The current published rate table doesn’t clearly list a same-day return fare, unlike many comparable Andhra Pradesh plazas, so it’s best to confirm directly with the toll office if this applies to your trip.

Q4. Do local commercial vehicles get a discount here?

Yes, vehicles classified as local commercial pay noticeably less across every category — for a car, that’s ₹20 instead of the standard ₹35 rate.

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