Salaipudhur Toll Plaza is located on National Highway 44 near Kayathar in southern Tamil Nadu. It serves the busy Madurai-Tirunelveli-Kanyakumari corridor and handles private cars, intercity buses and commercial vehicles travelling between Madurai, Virudhunagar, Kovilpatti, Tirunelveli, Nagercoil and Kanyakumari.
The plaza is sometimes written as Salaipudur Toll Plaza or called Kayathar Toll Plaza. Older road records identify the highway as NH 7, while its current national-highway number is NH 44. The toll gate operates throughout the day and uses FASTag for electronic toll collection.
Salaipudhur Toll Plaza Quick Overview
| Particular | Details |
| Official name | Salaipudhur Toll Plaza |
| Other names | Salaipudur Toll Plaza and Kayathar Toll Plaza |
| Location | Near Salaipudhur and Kayathar |
| District | Thoothukudi |
| State | Tamil Nadu |
| National highway | NH 44 |
| Older highway number | NH 7 |
| Highway stretch | Madurai-Tirunelveli-Panagudi-Kanyakumari |
| Toll-plaza chainage | Km 125.350 |
| Tollable distance | 63.5 km |
| Toll-plaza code | 360038 |
| Project type | Public funded |
| Project configuration | Four lanes |
| Recorded toll lanes | 12 |
| Collection agency | Feedback Highways OMT Pvt. Ltd. |
| Toll control room | 8130007221 |
| National Highway helpline | 1033 |
| Approximate coordinates | 8.975702, 77.774608 |
| PIN code | 628714 |
Salaipudhur Toll Plaza Rates
The following rates became effective on 25 May 2026 and are due for revision on 31 March 2027.
| Vehicle category | Single journey | Return journey | Monthly pass |
| Car, jeep or van | ₹130 | ₹200 | ₹4,390 |
| Light commercial vehicle or minibus | ₹215 | ₹320 | ₹7,090 |
| Bus or two-axle truck | ₹445 | ₹670 | ₹14,860 |
| Commercial vehicle with up to three axles | ₹485 | ₹730 | ₹16,210 |
| Four-to-six-axle vehicle | ₹700 | ₹1,050 | ₹23,300 |
| Heavy construction or earth-moving equipment | ₹700 | ₹1,050 | ₹23,300 |
| Vehicle with seven or more axles | ₹850 | ₹1,275 | ₹28,365 |
A car, jeep or van currently pays ₹130 for a single crossing. The eligible return-journey charge is ₹200 when the outward and return crossings are completed within the permitted 24-hour period.
The standard monthly pass is intended for frequent users and is different from the concessional monthly pass for eligible residents living close to the plaza. Drivers should check the vehicle class linked to their FASTag because toll deductions are based on the registered category.
Local Commercial Vehicle Rate
Eligible commercial vehicles may receive the following local rate when they satisfy the registration, permit and operating conditions applied at the plaza.
| Vehicle category | Local commercial rate per trip |
| Car, jeep or van used commercially | ₹65 |
| Light commercial vehicle or minibus | ₹105 |
| Bus or two-axle truck | ₹225 |
| Commercial vehicle with up to three axles | ₹245 |
| Four-to-six-axle vehicle | ₹350 |
| Heavy construction or earth-moving equipment | ₹350 |
| Vehicle with seven or more axles | ₹425 |
Local registration alone may not guarantee the concession. The vehicle’s registration district, national-permit status, operating category and FASTag details may be checked. Commercial-vehicle owners should confirm eligibility with the toll control room before relying on the reduced rate.
Local Monthly Pass
Residents living within 20 kilometres of Salaipudhur Toll Plaza may qualify for a concessional monthly pass for a privately owned, non-commercial vehicle.
The local resident monthly-pass charge for FY 2026-27 is ₹360.
Applicants may be asked to provide:
- Vehicle registration certificate
- Aadhaar card or another government identity document
- Current residential-address proof
- Active FASTag linked to the vehicle
- Registered mobile number
- Recent photograph, where required
The pass is linked to the eligible resident, vehicle and FASTag. A local registration number by itself does not establish eligibility. The applicant’s residential address generally needs to fall within the permitted 20-kilometre radius.
Address and Exact Location
The commonly used address is: Salaipudhur Toll Plaza, NH 44, near Kayathar, Thoothukudi district, Tamil Nadu 628714.
The toll gate is located north of Tirunelveli and south of Kovilpatti. It is close to Kayathar and Salaipudhur on the main Madurai-Kanyakumari highway.
- Latitude: 8.975702
- Longitude: 77.774608
Directions to Salaipudhur Toll Plaza
1. From Madurai
Travel south on NH 44 through Tirumangalam, Virudhunagar, Sattur and Kovilpatti. Continue towards Kayathar and Tirunelveli. The toll plaza is reached near Salaipudhur after the Kovilpatti side.
2. From Kovilpatti
Join NH 44 towards Kayathar, Tirunelveli and Kanyakumari. Continue south on the main highway. Salaipudhur Toll Plaza is located near Kayathar.
3. From Tirunelveli
Take NH 44 north towards Kayathar, Kovilpatti and Madurai. Continue past the northern approaches of Tirunelveli. The toll plaza is reached near Salaipudhur and Kayathar.
4. From Nagercoil or Kanyakumari
Travel north on NH 44 through Nagercoil, Valliyur, Nanguneri and Tirunelveli. Continue towards Kayathar and Kovilpatti. Salaipudhur Toll Plaza lies north of Tirunelveli.
5. From Kayathar
Use the authorised local approach to join NH 44 in the required direction. Follow highway signs and avoid unsafe turns or unauthorised median openings near the toll lanes.
FASTag and Payment Information
FASTag is the standard payment method at Salaipudhur Toll Plaza. The tag should be active, correctly attached to the windscreen and linked to the proper vehicle-registration number and class.
Before travelling, make sure that:
- The FASTag account has sufficient balance
- The tag is active and not blacklisted
- The vehicle number linked to the FASTag is correct
- The registered vehicle class matches the actual vehicle
- The tag is properly fixed and can be read by the lane scanner
Vehicles without a valid FASTag may have to pay a higher toll under the applicable digital-payment rules. If the tag is not read, do not reverse or change lanes suddenly. Follow the instructions of authorised toll staff.
The toll control room can be contacted at 8130007221. Crane assistance is available at 8925534057. Ambulance assistance is available at 8925534052, 8825685830, 8838178891 or 9047948615. Route-patrol assistance is available at 7530021018. The National Highway helpline is 1033.
For FY 2026-27, the FASTag Annual Pass costs ₹3,075. It is intended for eligible private, non-commercial cars, jeeps and vans and remains valid for one year or 200 covered toll-plaza crossings, whichever occurs first. Travellers should confirm plaza and vehicle eligibility before purchasing the pass.
Traffic and Travel Tips
NH 44 carries heavy intercity and commercial traffic between Madurai, Tirunelveli and Kanyakumari. Buses and trucks are common throughout the day and night. Traffic can become heavier during weekends, festival periods and major holiday travel days.
Choose the correct toll lane early and avoid sudden lane changes. Maintain a safe distance from buses and multi-axle trucks, particularly when vehicles slow near the toll booths.
Strong crosswinds, seasonal rain and night-time glare can affect driving around the open highway near Kayathar. Reduce speed when visibility is poor and avoid stopping on the carriageway to check a FASTag transaction message.
A truck lay-by is recorded near Km 130.250 on the left-hand side. Weighbridge facilities are available around Km 125.500 on both sides of the highway. Heavy-vehicle drivers should follow the displayed signs and staff instructions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: What is the car toll at Salaipudhur Toll Plaza?
A: A car, jeep or van pays ₹130 for a single journey. The eligible return charge for crossings completed within 24 hours is ₹200.
Q2: Is Salaipudhur Toll Plaza the same as Kayathar Toll Plaza?
A: Yes. Kayathar Toll Plaza is a commonly used local name for Salaipudhur Toll Plaza on NH 44 near Kayathar.
Q3: Is the plaza on NH 7 or NH 44?
A: It is on present-day NH 44. Older documents and maps may identify the same Madurai-Kanyakumari highway as NH 7.
Q4: Can local residents get a monthly pass?
A: Eligible residents living within 20 kilometres of the plaza may apply for a ₹360 monthly pass for a privately owned, non-commercial vehicle, subject to document verification.
Q5: Are motorcycles charged at Salaipudhur Toll Plaza?
A: Two-wheelers are generally exempt from National Highway user fees. Riders should follow the designated path and instructions displayed at the plaza.
Q6: What should I do if the wrong toll is deducted?
A: Keep the FASTag transaction message and note the crossing time, vehicle number, plaza name and deducted amount. Raise a dispute with the FASTag-issuing bank. Toll and highway complaints can also be reported through helpline 1033.
