Uthandi Toll Plaza is an important toll collection point on East Coast Road in the southern part of Chennai. It serves vehicles travelling between Chennai, Akkarai, Uthandi, Kanathur, Muttukadu, Kovalam and Mahabalipuram.
The road is officially designated State Highway 49 and is popularly called ECR. Unlike National Highway toll plazas operated under NHAI, Uthandi Toll Plaza forms part of a Tamil Nadu state-road project managed by the Tamil Nadu Road Development Company.
The official tolled section extends from Akkarai to Mahabalipuram. Uthandi is the main northern toll point used by vehicles entering the scenic coastal road from Chennai.
Uthandi Toll Plaza Quick Overview
| Particular | Details |
| Official identification | ECR Toll Plaza |
| Common name | Uthandi Toll Plaza |
| Location | Uthandi, south Chennai |
| Nearby localities | Akkarai, Kanathur and Sholinganallur |
| State | Tamil Nadu |
| Road | East Coast Road |
| Road number | SH 49 |
| Tolled section | Akkarai–Mahabalipuram |
| Project chainage | Km 22.300 to Km 52.900 |
| Approximate tolled length | 30.6 km |
| Road configuration | Four-lane road |
| Road authority | Tamil Nadu Road Development Company |
| Toll system | State-road toll collection |
| Toll help number | 9840292020 |
| Approximate coordinates | 12.86164, 80.24189 |
| Nearby landmark | Indian Maritime University Chennai Campus |
| Postal area | Chennai 600119 |
Uthandi Toll Plaza handles private cars, taxis, tourist vehicles, buses and commercial traffic. It becomes particularly busy during weekends, public holidays and peak tourist travel towards Muttukadu, Kovalam and Mahabalipuram.
Uthandi Toll Plaza Rates
The following rates are currently published for the Akkarai–Mahabalipuram stretch of East Coast Road.
| Vehicle category | Single journey | Return journey | Daily multiple-trip pass |
| Car, jeep or three-wheeler | ₹50 | ₹75 | ₹140 |
| Light commercial vehicle, light goods vehicle or minibus | ₹80 | ₹125 | ₹225 |
| Truck or bus | ₹170 | ₹255 | ₹470 |
| Three-axle commercial vehicle | ₹185 | ₹280 | ₹515 |
| Multi-axle vehicle | ₹270 | ₹405 | ₹740 |
| Oversized vehicle with seven or more axles | ₹325 | ₹490 | ₹900 |
A car or jeep pays ₹50 for one journey through the toll plaza. An eligible outward and return journey costs ₹75 when the return is completed within 24 hours.
The ₹140 daily pass allows multiple crossings during its 24-hour validity period. It may be useful for drivers who expect to cross the toll point more than twice on the same day.
Return and Daily Pass Rules
The return ticket covers one onward journey and one return journey.
For a car or jeep:
- Single journey: ₹50
- Outward and return journey: ₹75
- Multiple journeys within 24 hours: ₹140
The return journey must be completed within 24 hours from the time the ticket or electronic pass is issued.
The daily pass is different from a return ticket. It permits multiple journeys during the 24-hour period rather than only one outward and one return crossing.
Tickets and passes are linked to the particular vehicle for which they are issued. They cannot normally be transferred to another vehicle.
Monthly and 50-Trip Passes
TNRDC offers two types of longer-duration passes for regular users.
| Vehicle category | 50-single-trip pass | Monthly multiple-trip pass |
| Car, jeep or three-wheeler | ₹1,685 | ₹2,960 |
| Light commercial vehicle, light goods vehicle or minibus | ₹2,725 | ₹4,780 |
| Truck or bus | ₹5,710 | ₹10,020 |
| Three-axle commercial vehicle | ₹6,230 | ₹10,930 |
| Multi-axle vehicle | ₹8,950 | ₹15,710 |
| Oversized vehicle with seven or more axles | ₹10,900 | ₹19,125 |
The 50-trip pass allows 50 single journeys and remains valid for three months. Each passage through the toll point counts as one trip.
The monthly multiple-trip pass allows repeated crossings during the particular calendar month for which it is issued.
Unused trips or validity should not be assumed to carry forward beyond the permitted period. Drivers should confirm the activation and expiry dates while purchasing or renewing a pass.
Local Commercial Vehicle Passes
Separate monthly rates are available for eligible commercial vehicles operating locally and crossing only one toll plaza.
| Local commercial vehicle category | Monthly charge |
| Load auto, taxi, maxi cab or three-wheeler | ₹255 |
| LCV, JCB or crane | ₹330 |
| Truck or multi-axle vehicle | ₹1,010 |
| School bus | ₹2,020 |
These concessions are subject to verification and should not be expected to activate automatically.
Applicants may be required to provide:
- Vehicle registration certificate
- Commercial permit
- Owner or operator address proof
- Details of the regular route
- Vehicle photographs
- Toll account or pass information
- School authorisation for a school bus
The pass is normally limited to the approved vehicle and toll point.
Local Resident Exemption
TNRDC’s published exemption list includes privately owned cars belonging to genuine local residents living along the project road.
However, owning a vehicle with a Chennai or Chengalpattu registration number does not automatically provide free passage.
A local resident may need to submit:
- Vehicle registration certificate
- Aadhaar card or another identity document
- Current address proof
- Proof that the residence is situated along the project road
- Photograph and registered mobile number
- Application required by the toll administration
The exemption or pass must be approved and linked to the recognised vehicle. Residents should contact the toll office before expecting free passage.
Exempted Vehicles
The published exemption list includes several official and essential-service vehicles, such as:
- Ambulances
- Fire tenders
- Funeral vehicles
- Eligible armed-forces and police vehicles
- Vehicles carrying specified constitutional authorities
- Postal and mail vehicles of the Department of Posts
- Cycles
- Two-wheelers
- Tractors
- Non-motorised vehicles
- Eligible locally owned autorickshaws
- Approved personal cars of genuine local residents
A person claiming an official or local exemption may be asked to present the required identification or vehicle documents.
Address and Exact Location
The commonly used address is: Uthandi Toll Plaza, East Coast Road, SH 49, Uthandi, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600119.
The approximate coordinates are:
- Latitude: 12.86164
- Longitude: 80.24189
Directions to Uthandi Toll Plaza
1. From Thiruvanmiyur
Travel south on East Coast Road through Kottivakkam, Palavakkam, Neelankarai, Injambakkam and Akkarai.
Continue towards Uthandi, Kanathur and Mahabalipuram. Follow the toll-lane signs while approaching Uthandi.
2. From Adyar
Travel towards Thiruvanmiyur and join East Coast Road.
Continue south through Neelankarai, Injambakkam and Akkarai. Remain on ECR towards Uthandi and Mahabalipuram.
3. From Sholinganallur
Use Kalaignar Karunanidhi Salai or the appropriate ECR Link Road connection towards Uthandi.
Join East Coast Road through an authorised junction and select the Mahabalipuram-bound or Chennai-bound side according to the destination.
4. From OMR
Drivers starting from Navalur, Siruseri or Sholinganallur can use one of the authorised link roads connecting OMR with ECR.
The exact connection may depend on the starting location and current traffic conditions. Check the route before joining ECR to avoid an unnecessary detour.
5. From Kelambakkam
Travel towards Kovalam and join East Coast Road.
Continue north towards Muttukadu, Kanathur and Uthandi. The toll plaza is reached before entering the main Akkarai and Chennai-side section.
6. From Mahabalipuram
Travel north on East Coast Road towards Poonjeri, Kovalam, Muttukadu, Kanathur and Chennai.
Continue on the Chennai-bound carriageway. Follow the toll signs while approaching Uthandi.
7. From Puducherry
Travel north using East Coast Road through Marakkanam, Kalpakkam and Mahabalipuram.
Continue towards Kovalam, Muttukadu and Uthandi. Other toll or road charges may apply on sections outside the TNRDC Akkarai–Mahabalipuram project.
Uthandi and the Proposed Elevated Corridor
Uthandi is also associated with the planned elevated ECR corridor between Thiruvanmiyur and Uthandi.
The elevated road is a separate infrastructure project from the existing Uthandi toll arrangement. Until a new corridor opens and its tariff is formally announced, drivers should rely on the charges displayed for the existing Akkarai–Mahabalipuram road.
A future elevated-road toll should not be confused with the current ₹50 Uthandi car charge.
Payment and Pass Information
Uthandi is a TNRDC state-road toll plaza rather than an NHAI fee plaza.
Drivers should follow the payment signs displayed at the toll lanes. Regular users purchasing return, daily or monthly facilities should keep the ticket, receipt, card or electronic record until its validity ends.
Before entering the plaza:
- Choose the correct vehicle-category lane
- Keep the approved payment method ready
- Confirm whether an existing pass is active
- Avoid following the vehicle ahead too closely
- Check the amount displayed before leaving the booth
For rate or pass assistance, contact TNRDC at 9840292020.
NHAI FASTag Annual Pass
The NHAI FASTag Annual Pass should not be assumed to work at Uthandi Toll Plaza.
That pass is intended for eligible National Highway and National Expressway fee plazas. Uthandi is part of a Tamil Nadu state-road project operated by TNRDC.
Purchasing an NHAI Annual Pass does not automatically replace the TNRDC single, return, daily or monthly charges.
Drivers who regularly use ECR should compare TNRDC’s 50-trip and monthly passes instead.
Traffic and Safety Tips
Uthandi Toll Plaza may experience congestion during:
- Friday and Saturday evenings
- Sunday return traffic
- Public holidays and long weekends
- Summer tourist travel
- Festival periods
- Peak visiting hours for Mahabalipuram
- Events and holidays in Puducherry
- Heavy monsoon rainfall
Choose the correct toll lane early and avoid sudden lane changes near the booths.
ECR carries motorcycles, buses, taxis, bicycles and local traffic. Drivers should remain alert near junctions, resorts, colleges and pedestrian crossings.
During rain, reduce speed because water accumulation and poor visibility can affect parts of the road. Do not stop on the carriageway for photographs or to check navigation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: Why does the tariff say Akkarai–Mahabalipuram when the plaza is in Uthandi?
A: Akkarai–Mahabalipuram is the official tolled road section. Uthandi is the main toll-plaza location near the northern end of that section.
Q2: Can the NHAI FASTag Annual Pass be used at Uthandi?
A: It should not be assumed to work because Uthandi is operated as a TNRDC state-road toll rather than an NHAI National Highway fee plaza.
Q3: Are motorcycles charged at Uthandi Toll Plaza?
A: No. Two-wheelers are included in TNRDC’s published list of exempted vehicles for the ECR toll section.
Q4: What should I do if the wrong vehicle rate is charged?
A: Keep the receipt or transaction record and note the date, time, vehicle number and lane used. Contact the toll administration or call TNRDC at 9840292020 to request verification.
