Nathakkarai Toll Plaza is located near Nathakkarai and Thalaivasal in Salem district, Tamil Nadu. It operates on National Highway 79, the important Salem-Ulundurpet corridor connecting Salem and Attur with Kallakurichi, Ulundurpet and the routes towards Chennai.
The plaza is also written as Nathakarai Toll Plaza on some maps and toll records. It serves private cars, buses, goods vehicles and long-distance traffic travelling across eastern Salem district. The highway was earlier identified as NH 68 and is now numbered NH 79.

Nathakkarai Toll Plaza Quick Overview
| Particular | Details |
| Official name | Nathakkarai Plaza |
| Other spelling | Nathakarai Toll Plaza |
| Location | Near Nathakkarai and Thalaivasal |
| District | Salem |
| State | Tamil Nadu |
| National highway | NH 79 |
| Older highway number | NH 68 |
| Highway stretch | Salem-Ulundurpet |
| Toll-plaza chainage | Km 73.760 |
| Tollable distance | 45.452 km |
| Toll-plaza code | 58002 |
| Project type | BOT (Toll) |
| Project configuration | Four lanes |
| Recorded toll lanes | 10 |
| Collection agency | M/s SU Toll Road Private Limited |
| Toll control room | 8130007206 |
| National Highway helpline | 1033 |
| Approximate coordinates | 11.592809, 78.780812 |
| PIN code | 636112 |
Nathakkarai Toll Plaza Rates
The following rate schedule became effective on 1 September 2025 and remains applicable up to 31 August 2026, unless the toll operator issues an earlier revision.
| Vehicle category | Single journey | Return journey | Monthly pass |
| Car, jeep or van | ₹65 | ₹100 | ₹1,975 |
| Light commercial vehicle or minibus | ₹115 | ₹175 | ₹3,460 |
| Bus or two-axle truck | ₹230 | ₹345 | ₹6,915 |
| Commercial vehicle with up to three axles | ₹370 | ₹555 | ₹11,115 |
| Four-to-six-axle vehicle | ₹370 | ₹555 | ₹11,115 |
| Heavy construction or earth-moving equipment | ₹370 | ₹555 | ₹11,115 |
| Vehicle with seven or more axles | ₹370 | ₹555 | ₹11,115 |
A car, jeep or van currently pays ₹65 for a single journey. The eligible return charge is ₹100 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 pass for eligible residents living close to the plaza. Vehicle classification is based on the category recorded against the FASTag and registration number.
Drivers should check the plaza name, vehicle class and deducted amount in the FASTag transaction message. A wrong vehicle category in the FASTag account may result in a higher charge.
Local Commercial Vehicle Rate
The active Nathakkarai rate schedule does not list a separate local-commercial amount for any vehicle category.
| Vehicle category | Listed local-commercial rate |
| Car, jeep or van used commercially | Not separately listed |
| Light commercial vehicle or minibus | Not separately listed |
| Bus or two-axle truck | Not separately listed |
| Three-axle and multi-axle vehicles | Not separately listed |
Owners of vehicles registered in Salem district should not assume that district registration automatically provides a reduced toll. Eligibility can depend on the vehicle’s permit, use, FASTag record and the concession terms followed at the plaza. Contact the toll control room before relying on any local commercial concession.
Local Monthly Pass
Residents living within 20 kilometres of Nathakkarai Toll Plaza may qualify for a concessional monthly pass for a privately owned, non-commercial vehicle.
The local resident monthly-pass charge is ₹350.
Applicants may be asked to provide:
- Vehicle registration certificate
- Aadhaar card or another government identity document
- Residential-address proof showing an eligible local address
- 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 Salem district registration number alone does not prove eligibility. The applicant’s current residential address generally needs to fall within the permitted 20-kilometre radius.
Address and Exact Location
The commonly used address is: Nathakkarai Toll Plaza, NH 79, near Nathakkarai and Thalaivasal, Salem district, Tamil Nadu 636112.
The plaza stands at approximately Km 73.760 on the Salem-Ulundurpet highway. It is around the Thalaivasal side of eastern Salem district and lies between the Attur area and the routes leading towards Chinnasalem and Kallakurichi.
- Latitude: 11.592809
- Longitude: 78.780812
Directions to Nathakkarai Toll Plaza
1. From Salem
Travel east on NH 79 towards Attur, Thalaivasal and Kallakurichi. Continue through the Attur side and remain on the main highway towards Thalaivasal. The toll plaza is reached near Nathakkarai.
2. From Attur
Join NH 79 towards Thalaivasal, Chinnasalem and Ulundurpet. Continue east on the highway. Nathakkarai Toll Plaza is located near Thalaivasal.
3. From Ulundurpet
Take NH 79 west towards Kallakurichi, Chinnasalem, Thalaivasal and Salem. Continue beyond the Chinnasalem side towards Thalaivasal. The toll plaza is reached near Nathakkarai.
4. From Kallakurichi
Travel west on NH 79 towards Chinnasalem, Thalaivasal, Attur and Salem. Stay on the main highway after Chinnasalem. The toll plaza lies near the Thalaivasal-Nathakkarai area.
5. From Thalaivasal
Use the authorised local approach to join NH 79 in the required direction. Follow highway signs and avoid unsafe turns or unauthorised openings near the toll lanes.
FASTag and Payment Information
FASTag is the standard payment method at Nathakkarai Toll Plaza. The tag should be active, properly fixed to the windscreen and linked to the correct vehicle-registration number and class.
Before travelling, make sure that:
- The FASTag has sufficient balance
- The tag is not blacklisted or inactive
- The vehicle number linked to the tag is correct
- The FASTag vehicle class matches the actual vehicle
- The tag is properly attached and can be read by the lane scanner
Vehicles without a valid FASTag may have to pay the higher charge prescribed under the applicable digital-toll rules. If the scanner does not read a valid tag, do not reverse suddenly or change lanes dangerously. Follow the toll staff’s instructions.
The Nathakkarai toll control room can be contacted at 8130007206. Crane assistance is available at 9043782104, ambulance assistance at 9043782103, and route-patrol assistance at 9361779100. The 24-hour 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 is valid for one year or 200 covered toll-plaza crossings, whichever occurs first. Travellers should confirm vehicle and plaza eligibility before purchasing the pass.
Traffic and Travel Tips
NH 79 carries regular bus and commercial-vehicle traffic between Salem, Attur, Kallakurichi and Ulundurpet. Traffic can become heavier during festival periods, weekends and major holiday travel days.
Keep a safe distance from buses and trucks approaching the toll lanes. Choose the correct lane early and avoid sudden lane changes. Drivers should also watch for local vehicles entering or leaving the highway near Thalaivasal.
Early-morning mist and seasonal rain can reduce visibility. Slow down, use appropriate lights and leave extra braking distance. Do not stop on the carriageway to check a FASTag message. Move to a safe authorised stopping place first.
Truck lay-bys are recorded around Km 75.000. Static weighbridges are located near Km 73.860 on the left-hand side and Km 73.660 on the right-hand side. Heavy-vehicle drivers should follow the signs and instructions displayed at these facilities.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: What is the car toll at Nathakkarai Toll Plaza?
A: A car, jeep or van pays ₹65 for a single journey. The eligible return charge for crossings completed within 24 hours is ₹100.
Q2: Where is Nathakkarai Toll Plaza located?
A: It is located at Km 73.760 on NH 79 near Nathakkarai and Thalaivasal in Salem district, Tamil Nadu.
Q3: Is Nathakkarai Toll Plaza on NH 68 or NH 79?
A: It is on present-day NH 79. Older maps and records may identify the same Salem-Ulundurpet road as NH 68.
Q4: Is FASTag accepted at Nathakkarai Toll Plaza?
A: Yes. FASTag is the standard toll-payment method. The tag should be active, sufficiently funded and linked to the correct vehicle class.
Q5: Can local residents get a monthly pass?
A: Eligible residents living within 20 kilometres of the plaza may apply for a ₹350 monthly pass for a privately owned, non-commercial vehicle, subject to document verification.
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 amount. Raise a dispute with the FASTag-issuing bank. Toll and highway complaints can also be reported through helpline 1033.