Vidyasagar Setu Toll Plaza is located on the Howrah side of Vidyasagar Setu in West Bengal. The bridge, also known as the Second Hooghly Bridge, connects Kolkata with Shibpur and the wider Howrah road network. It provides an important route for vehicles travelling between Central Kolkata, Kona Expressway, Santragachi, NH 12 and NH 16.
Unlike a normal NHAI highway toll plaza, this facility is controlled by the Hooghly River Bridge Commissioners, a statutory organisation under the Government of West Bengal. The bridge is 823 metres long and was opened to traffic on October 10, 1992. Its Kolkata-side and Howrah-side approach systems extend for about 8 km and 8.7 km respectively.
Vidyasagar Setu Toll Plaza Quick Overview
| Particular | Details |
| Official bridge name | Vidyasagar Setu |
| Other name | Second Hooghly Bridge |
| Toll-plaza location | Naora, Shibpur, Howrah |
| District | Howrah |
| State | West Bengal |
| River crossed | Hooghly River |
| Connected cities | Kolkata and Howrah |
| Connected road | Kona Expressway |
| Bridge length | 823 metres |
| Overall width | 35 metres |
| Opening date | October 10, 1992 |
| Authority | Hooghly River Bridge Commissioners |
| Toll system | Electronically operated toll-collection system |
| PIN code | 711103 |
| Approximate coordinates | 22.565, 88.3168 |
Vidyasagar Setu Toll Rates
As of July 2026, the West Bengal Transport Department’s online notification page continues to list its February 9, 2018 order as the latest Vidyasagar Setu toll notification. That order changed the charge for heavy goods and articulated vehicles while keeping the rates for other vehicle classes unchanged.
| Vehicle category | Latest publicly traceable one-way toll |
| Motorcycle or scooter | Free |
| Private car, taxi or jeep | ₹10 |
| Minibus, Matador or tempo | ₹25 |
| Bus | ₹50 |
| Truck | ₹80 |
| Heavy goods or articulated vehicle with payload of 10 MT or above, not carrying perishables | ₹220 |
| Heavy goods or articulated vehicle with payload of 10 MT or above, carrying perishable food | ₹110 |
The ₹220 and ₹110 heavy-vehicle rates became effective on February 15, 2018. Contemporary published tariff information listed ₹10 for private cars and taxis, ₹50 for buses and ₹80 for trucks. The toll for motorcycles and scooters was later waived from October 1, 2018.
These are the latest rates that can be traced through the state notification system and reliable published records. Since the plaza does not use the usual annual NHAI tariff format, drivers should treat the amount displayed at the toll booth as final.
Return Journey and Monthly Pass
The publicly available Vidyasagar Setu notification does not provide the standard single-journey, return-journey and monthly-pass structure commonly seen at NHAI plazas. Toll is generally charged for each applicable crossing according to the vehicle category.
A FASTag monthly pass or local resident pass issued for an NHAI toll plaza should not be assumed to cover this bridge. Regular users should ask the toll-plaza office about any currently available bridge-specific concession or prepaid arrangement.
Address and Exact Location
The commonly used address is: Vidyasagar Setu Toll Plaza, Naora, Shibpur, Howrah, West Bengal 711103.
Some digital maps may display the locality as Batai Tala, Shibpur or an adjoining Howrah neighbourhood. The approximate coordinates are 22.565 latitude and 88.3168 longitude.
The toll booths are positioned on the Howrah side of the bridge, close to the road connection towards Kona Expressway. For accurate navigation, search for “Vidyasagar Setu Toll Plaza Shibpur” rather than entering only “Kolkata toll plaza.”
Directions to Vidyasagar Setu Toll Plaza
1. From Central Kolkata
Travel towards AJC Bose Road and follow the signs for Vidyasagar Setu or Second Hooghly Bridge. Continue towards Hastings and use the authorised bridge approach. After crossing the Hooghly River, vehicles reach the toll-plaza area on the Shibpur side.
2. From Alipore or Kidderpore
Travel towards Hastings through Kidderpore Road or the available connecting road. Follow the signs for Vidyasagar Setu and Howrah. Traffic arrangements near Hastings may change during repair work, so live navigation is useful.
3. From Howrah or Santragachi
Join Kona Expressway or an authorised connecting road towards Shibpur and Kolkata. Continue east towards Vidyasagar Setu. Select the correct toll lane according to the vehicle type.
4. From NH 16
Vehicles coming from the Kharagpur or Kolaghat direction can continue towards the Kona Expressway connection. Follow signs for Santragachi, Shibpur and Vidyasagar Setu to enter Kolkata.
5. From Kolkata Airport or Salt Lake
Use the most suitable city route towards AJC Bose Road and Hastings. Depending on congestion, navigation services may suggest the EM Bypass or another arterial road. Follow the final signs for Vidyasagar Setu.
Electronic Toll Payment
HRBC documents describe an electronically operated toll-collection system at Vidyasagar Setu. However, publicly available official material does not clearly confirm that every bank-issued NHAI FASTag works in the same way as it does at a national-highway toll plaza.
Drivers should follow the payment signs displayed above each lane and keep an alternative permitted payment method ready. The NHAI FASTag Annual Pass should not be assumed to apply because Vidyasagar Setu is a state-controlled HRBC toll bridge.
Traffic Conditions and Travel Tips
Traffic is usually heavier during weekday mornings and evenings, particularly around Hastings, Nabanna, Shibpur and Kona Expressway. Repair and rehabilitation work may also cause temporary lane restrictions or complete closures.
The bridge was closed for scheduled repair work on several Sundays in 2026, including a 12-hour closure on July 26 for cable and bearing replacement. During such closures, Kolkata Traffic Police diverted vehicles towards Strand Road and Howrah Bridge. Travellers should check current police advisories before beginning their journey.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is Vidyasagar Setu the same as Howrah Bridge?
A: No. Vidyasagar Setu is the Second Hooghly Bridge and connects Hastings with Shibpur. Howrah Bridge, officially called Rabindra Setu, is a separate river crossing located farther north.
Q: Can pedestrians walk across Vidyasagar Setu?
A: Pedestrian movement is generally not permitted on the main bridge. People should use an authorised ferry, public transport service or another permitted crossing instead of attempting to enter the bridge on foot.
Q: Can heavy trucks use Vidyasagar Setu during the daytime?
A: Time restrictions may apply. A traffic order introduced in August 2025 restricted heavy and medium goods vehicles on Vidyasagar Setu and its approaches between 6:00 AM and 11:00 PM, with exceptions for certain essential supplies. Drivers should check whether the order remains active before travelling.
Q: Does the NHAI FASTag Annual Pass cover this toll plaza?
A: It should not be assumed to cover Vidyasagar Setu. The bridge is operated under the West Bengal government’s HRBC system rather than as a normal NHAI fee plaza.
Q: Which route can be used when Vidyasagar Setu is closed?
A: Light vehicles are commonly diverted through Hastings, St. Georges Gate Road and Strand Road towards Howrah Bridge. The exact route may change according to traffic conditions and police instructions, so drivers should follow the current diversion notice.
