Etturvattam Toll Plaza is an important toll collection point on National Highway 44 in Virudhunagar district, Tamil Nadu. It serves vehicles travelling between Madurai, Virudhunagar, Sattur, Kovilpatti, Tirunelveli and Kanyakumari.
The plaza is situated near Etturvattam village in Sattur taluk. It forms part of the Madurai–Tirunelveli–Panagudi–Kanyakumari highway corridor and handles private cars, interstate buses, tourist vehicles and substantial commercial traffic.
Older highway signs and toll records may identify this road as NH 7. Following the renumbering of National Highways, the Madurai–Kanyakumari corridor is now officially part of NH 44.
Etturvattam Toll Plaza Quick Overview
| Particular | Details |
| Official name | Etturvattam Fee Plaza |
| Common name | Etturvattam Toll Plaza |
| Location | Near Etturvattam and Sattur |
| Taluk | Sattur |
| District | Virudhunagar |
| State | Tamil Nadu |
| Current highway number | NH 44 |
| Former highway number | NH 7 |
| Highway section | Madurai–Tirunelveli–Panagudi–Kanyakumari |
| Toll-plaza chainage | Km 74.930 |
| Tollable distance | 64.200 km |
| FASTag plaza code | 360040 |
| Project type | Public-funded |
| Highway configuration | Four-lane highway |
| Number of toll lanes | Ten |
| Fee rules | National Highways Fee Rules, 2008 |
| Collection agency | Inderdeep Construction Company |
| Toll control room | 8130007220 |
| National Highway helpline | 1033 |
| Approximate coordinates | 9.385445, 77.914347 |
| Nearest major town | Sattur |
| NHAI project office | PIU Madurai |
| Postal area | Tamil Nadu 626203 |
The plaza is sometimes referred to as Sattur Toll Plaza because Sattur is the nearest well-known town. Etturvattam remains the official plaza name shown in NHAI and FASTag records.
Etturvattam Toll Plaza Rates
The following toll charges are applicable from April 1, 2026, to March 31, 2027.
| Vehicle category | Single journey | Return journey | Monthly pass | Local commercial rate |
| Car, jeep or van | ₹105 | ₹160 | ₹3,570 | ₹55 |
| Light commercial vehicle or minibus | ₹175 | ₹260 | ₹5,765 | ₹85 |
| Bus or two-axle truck | ₹360 | ₹545 | ₹12,080 | ₹180 |
| Commercial vehicle with up to three axles | ₹395 | ₹595 | ₹13,180 | ₹200 |
| Four-to-six-axle vehicle | ₹570 | ₹855 | ₹18,945 | ₹285 |
| Heavy construction or earth-moving equipment | ₹570 | ₹855 | ₹18,945 | ₹285 |
| Vehicle with seven or more axles | ₹690 | ₹1,040 | ₹23,065 | ₹345 |
A car, jeep or van pays ₹105 for one crossing through Etturvattam Toll Plaza.
An eligible outward and return journey costs ₹160 when the return crossing is completed within 24 hours using the same FASTag.
The standard monthly pass for a car, jeep or van costs ₹3,570. It is intended for frequent users and is different from the concessional local-resident monthly pass.
Single and Return-Journey Charges Explained
The ₹105 car rate applies to one passage through Etturvattam Toll Plaza.
The ₹160 return rate covers one outward crossing and one eligible return crossing. It does not mean that ₹160 is charged separately during both passages.
A typical FASTag deduction may appear as:
- First crossing: ₹105
- Eligible return crossing: ₹55
- Total cost of both crossings: ₹160
The same active FASTag should be used for both journeys.
If the vehicle returns after the permitted 24-hour period, the second passage may be treated as another single journey and charged ₹105.
Drivers should retain both FASTag transaction messages until their return journey is complete.
Local Commercial Vehicle Rates
The last column in the rate table shows reduced charges for qualifying commercial vehicles registered within the district where the plaza is located.
For example, an approved locally registered commercial car may pay ₹55 instead of the regular ₹105 single-journey rate.
A Virudhunagar district registration number may not activate the concession automatically. The vehicle owner may need to provide:
- Vehicle registration certificate
- Valid commercial permit
- Registered business or residential-address proof
- Active FASTag linked to the vehicle
- Proof of regular local operation
- Completed concession application
- Additional documents requested by the toll office
The reduced rate normally becomes active only after the toll administration verifies the application and links it to the vehicle’s FASTag.
Local Resident Monthly Pass
A person living within 20 kilometres of Etturvattam Toll Plaza may apply for a concessional monthly pass for a privately owned, non-commercial car, jeep or van.
The local monthly-pass charge for 2026–27 is:
₹360 per month
Applicants may be required to submit:
- Vehicle registration certificate
- Aadhaar card or another identity document
- Current residential-address proof
- Active FASTag linked to the vehicle
- Registered mobile number
- Recent photograph
- Completed local-pass application
The toll administration must verify that the applicant’s residence is within the prescribed 20-kilometre distance.
The concession is linked to one resident, vehicle and FASTag. Merely owning a vehicle registered in Virudhunagar district does not automatically qualify its owner.
Address and Exact Location
The commonly used address is:
Etturvattam Toll Plaza, NH 44, Etturvattam, Mettamalai Post, Sattur Taluk, Virudhunagar District, Tamil Nadu 626203.
The approximate coordinates are:
- Latitude: 9.385445
- Longitude: 77.914347
Directions to Etturvattam Toll Plaza
1. From Madurai
Join NH 44 and travel south through Kappalur, Tirumangalam and Virudhunagar towards Sattur, Kovilpatti and Tirunelveli.
Continue beyond Virudhunagar on the Kanyakumari-bound carriageway. Follow the toll-lane signs while approaching Etturvattam and Sattur.
A Madurai-to-Sattur journey may cross both Kappalur and Etturvattam toll plazas.
2. From Virudhunagar
Join NH 44 and travel south towards Sattur and Kovilpatti.
Continue on the Tirunelveli-bound carriageway. Etturvattam Toll Plaza is reached before the main Sattur-side highway connections.
3. From Sattur
Use an authorised local road to join NH 44.
Vehicles travelling towards Virudhunagar and Madurai should use the northbound carriageway. Vehicles travelling towards Kovilpatti and Tirunelveli should use the southbound side.
Whether a short local journey crosses the plaza depends on the selected entry junction and destination.
4. From Kovilpatti
Travel north on NH 44 towards Sattur, Virudhunagar and Madurai.
Continue on the Madurai-bound carriageway. Follow the toll signs while approaching Etturvattam.
5. From Tirunelveli
Travel north on NH 44 through Kayathar and Kovilpatti towards Sattur, Virudhunagar and Madurai.
The journey generally crosses Salaipudur Toll Plaza before reaching Etturvattam.
6. From Kanyakumari
Travel north on NH 44 through Nagercoil, Nanguneri, Tirunelveli and Kovilpatti.
The complete Kanyakumari-to-Etturvattam journey crosses several toll plazas. Etturvattam’s ₹105 car charge is therefore only one part of the total route toll.
7. From Sivakasi
Use the appropriate road towards Sattur or Virudhunagar.
Join NH 44 according to the final destination. Whether Etturvattam Toll Plaza is crossed depends on the junction used and the direction of travel.
Etturvattam and Salaipudur Toll Plazas Are Different
Etturvattam and Salaipudur are separate toll plazas on NH 44.
Etturvattam Toll Plaza is located near Sattur at Km 74.930.
Salaipudur Toll Plaza is located farther south near Kovilpatti at Km 125.350.
A vehicle travelling between Madurai and Tirunelveli or Kanyakumari may cross both plazas.
Separate FASTag deductions at Etturvattam and Salaipudur are therefore not automatically duplicate transactions. Each plaza covers a different tollable section of NH 44.
Etturvattam and Kappalur Toll Plazas Are Different
Kappalur Toll Plaza is located south of Madurai, while Etturvattam is situated farther south near Sattur.
A vehicle travelling from Madurai towards Sattur, Kovilpatti or Tirunelveli may receive deductions at both plazas.
Before reporting a duplicate transaction, compare:
- Exact plaza name
- FASTag plaza code
- Transaction time
- Toll amount
- Direction of travel
Etturvattam Toll Plaza’s FASTag code is 360040.
FASTag and Payment Information
FASTag is the standard payment method at Etturvattam Toll Plaza.
Before travelling, ensure that the FASTag:
- Is active and has sufficient balance
- Is correctly fixed to the windscreen
- Is linked to the correct registration number
- Shows the proper vehicle category
- Has completed the required verification
- Is not damaged, suspended or blacklisted
Maintain sufficient distance from the vehicle ahead while entering a toll lane. Following a bus or truck too closely may interfere with the scanner’s ability to identify each FASTag separately.
The transaction message may display Etturvattam, Ettuvattam or plaza code 360040.
An incorrect deduction can be reported through the FASTag-issuing bank, RajmargYatra or National Highway helpline 1033.
FASTag Annual Pass
The NHAI FASTag Annual Pass costs ₹3,075 for the 2026–27 financial year.
It is available for eligible privately registered, non-commercial cars, jeeps and vans. The pass remains valid for one year from activation or 200 eligible toll-plaza crossings, whichever occurs first.
One passage through Etturvattam normally counts as one crossing. Passing through the plaza and later returning generally counts as two crossings.
Before relying on the Annual Pass, ensure that:
- The vehicle is privately registered and non-commercial
- Its registered category is car, jeep or van
- The FASTag is active and linked to the complete vehicle number
- Annual Pass activation has been completed successfully
- Etturvattam appears in the eligible-plaza list
The Annual Pass is linked to the vehicle’s existing FASTag and cannot be transferred to another vehicle.
Highway Facilities and Emergency Contacts
Static weighbridges are available on both sides of the highway near Km 75.200.
The current plaza listing does not show a dedicated public rest area or truck lay-by directly at Etturvattam Toll Plaza. Fuel stations, restaurants, repair facilities and medical services are available around Sattur.
| Service | Contact number |
| National Highway assistance | 1033 |
| Highway emergency service | 1073 |
| Government ambulance | 108 |
| Medical emergency service | 102 |
| Toll control room | 8130007220 |
| Toll-plaza contacts | 9150023881, 9150023882 |
| Crane assistance | 8925534056 |
| Ambulance assistance | 8925534051 |
| Route-patrol assistance | 8925534047, 8883216000 |
| Sattur Police Station | 04562-260275 |
| NHAI PIU Madurai | 8130006178 |
Nearby medical facilities include:
- Government Hospital, Sattur
- Dhanuskodi Hospital, Sattur
- Gokul Hospital, Sattur
When requesting assistance, provide the highway number, direction of travel, nearest kilometre marker, vehicle registration number and nature of the emergency.
Traffic and Safety Tips
Etturvattam Toll Plaza may experience increased traffic during:
- Friday and Sunday travel periods
- Public holidays and long weekends
- Pongal and Deepavali journeys
- Madurai–Tirunelveli interstate bus travel
- Heavy truck movement
- Road repairs or diversions
- Monsoon rainfall
- Accidents or vehicle breakdowns
Choose the correct toll lane early and avoid sudden lane changes near the booths.
NH 44 carries interstate buses, trucks, private cars, motorcycles and local vehicles entering through village and service-road connections.
Maintain additional distance from buses and trucks, particularly at night. Reduce speed while approaching queues near the toll plaza and avoid following a heavy vehicle too closely.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. Why do some records show NH 7 instead of NH 44?
The Madurai–Tirunelveli–Kanyakumari corridor was formerly numbered NH 7. It is now part of NH 44, although older signs and FASTag systems may continue displaying NH 7.
Q2. Will a Madurai-to-Tirunelveli journey cross Etturvattam Toll Plaza?
Normally, yes. Vehicles following NH 44 generally cross Kappalur, Etturvattam and Salaipudur on the way towards Tirunelveli.
Q3. Why did FASTag deduct ₹105 first and ₹55 during the return?
The eligible car return rate is ₹160 in total. The system may deduct ₹105 during the first crossing and the remaining ₹55 when the vehicle returns within 24 hours using the same FASTag.
Q4. Why were both Etturvattam and Salaipudur tolls deducted?
They are separate toll plazas covering different portions of NH 44. A journey between Sattur, Kovilpatti and Tirunelveli may legitimately cross both.
