Nellore Toll Plaza is an important toll collection point on National Highway 16 in SPSR Nellore district, Andhra Pradesh. Its official name is Venkatachalam (Old Nellore) Fee Plaza, although road users commonly call it Nellore Toll Plaza or Venkatachalam Toll Plaza.
The plaza is located south of Nellore city near Venkatachalam. It serves vehicles travelling between Nellore, Gudur, Naidupeta, Sullurpet, Sri City, Chennai, Tirupati and Krishnapatnam Port.
Older highway records may identify the route as NH 5. Following the renumbering of National Highways, the Chennai–Nellore–Vijayawada coastal corridor is now officially numbered NH 16.
Nellore Toll Plaza Quick Overview
| Particular | Details |
| Official name | Venkatachalam (Old Nellore) Fee Plaza |
| Common names | Nellore Toll Plaza and Venkatachalam Toll Plaza |
| Location | Near Venkatachalam, south of Nellore |
| Mandal | Venkatachalam |
| District | SPSR Nellore |
| State | Andhra Pradesh |
| Current highway number | NH 16 |
| Former highway number | NH 5 |
| Highway section | Tada–Nellore |
| Toll-plaza chainage | Km 155.000 |
| Tollable distance | Approximately 25.350 km |
| FASTag plaza code | 48003 |
| Project type | BOT Toll |
| Fee-rule category | National Highways Fee Rules, 1997 |
| Highway configuration | Four-lane project |
| Number of toll lanes | Eight |
| Commercial operation began | May 21, 2004 |
| Listed concession period | Up to July 31, 2031 |
| Toll operator | Swarna Tollway Private Limited |
| Main payment method | FASTag |
| Toll control room | 8130006331 |
| National Highway helpline | 1033 |
| Approximate coordinates | 14.312218, 79.916296 |
| NHAI project office | PIU Nellore |
This is an older BOT toll plaza. Its tariff structure differs from newer NHAI plazas operating under the National Highways Fee Rules of 2008.
Nellore Toll Plaza Rates
The latest accessible published schedule lists the following charges.
| Vehicle category | Single journey | Return journey | Standard monthly pass | Local commercial rate |
| Car, jeep or van | ₹35 | Not separately listed | Not listed | ₹20 |
| Light commercial vehicle or minibus | ₹65 | Not separately listed | Not listed | ₹35 |
| Bus or two-axle truck | ₹130 | Not separately listed | Not listed | ₹65 |
| Vehicle with up to three axles | ₹280 | Not separately listed | Not listed | ₹140 |
| Four-to-six-axle vehicle | ₹280 | Not separately listed | Not listed | ₹140 |
| Heavy construction or earth-moving equipment | ₹280 | Not separately listed | Not listed | ₹140 |
| Vehicle with seven or more axles | ₹280 | Not separately listed | Not listed | ₹140 |
The practical private-car charge currently shown by route calculators is ₹35 for one crossing.
The published tariff became effective on July 1, 2025, and was due for revision after June 30, 2026. Since a clearly updated 2026–27 tariff order is not displayed in the accessible public databases, drivers should check the tariff board and FASTag deduction at the plaza.
Why There Is No Normal Return Rate
Venkatachalam Toll Plaza follows an older toll structure under the National Highways Fee Rules of 1997.
The available tariff table lists a single-journey charge but does not provide the standard 24-hour return rate commonly available at newer NHAI toll plazas.
Therefore, drivers should not assume that:
- ₹35 covers an outward and return journey
- The second crossing will receive a 50 percent discount
- A standard return adjustment will automatically be applied
- A regular 50-trip monthly pass is available
Each passage may be charged separately at the applicable single-journey rate unless the vehicle has an approved concession or pass.
Drivers should check both FASTag messages when crossing the plaza twice on the same day.
Local Commercial Vehicle Rates
Reduced per-crossing charges are published for qualifying commercial vehicles registered locally.
| Commercial vehicle category | Local rate |
| Commercial car, jeep or van | ₹20 |
| Light commercial vehicle or minibus | ₹35 |
| Bus or two-axle truck | ₹65 |
| Three-axle or larger vehicle | ₹140 |
The concession may not activate automatically merely because the vehicle has an Andhra Pradesh or Nellore registration number.
The vehicle owner may be asked to provide:
- Vehicle registration certificate
- Valid commercial permit
- Residential or business-address proof
- Active FASTag linked to the vehicle
- Proof of regular local operation
- Application approved by the toll administration
The approved rate is normally linked to a particular vehicle and FASTag.
Local Resident and Monthly Pass
The published Venkatachalam tariff does not list a standard monthly pass for private cars or the ₹360 local monthly pass commonly seen at newer NHAI fee plazas.
Residents of Venkatachalam and nearby villages should therefore not assume that the standard 20-kilometre local-pass arrangement automatically applies at this older BOT plaza.
A resident seeking a concession should contact the toll office with:
- Vehicle registration certificate
- Identity proof
- Current residential-address proof
- Active FASTag details
- Registered mobile number
- Any document requested by the operator
The toll administration can confirm whether a resident, school vehicle or regularly operating local vehicle qualifies under the plaza’s existing concession arrangements.
Address and Exact Location
The commonly used address is: Venkatachalam Old Nellore Toll Plaza, NH 16, near Venkatachalam, SPSR Nellore District, Andhra Pradesh 524320.
The approximate NHAI-listed coordinates are:
- Latitude: 14.312218
- Longitude: 79.916296
Directions to Nellore Toll Plaza
1. From Nellore City
Join NH 16 and travel south towards Venkatachalam, Gudur and Chennai.
Continue on the Chennai-bound carriageway after leaving Nellore. Follow the toll-lane signs while approaching Venkatachalam.
The plaza is outside the main Nellore urban area.
2. From Gudur
Travel north on NH 16 towards Venkatachalam and Nellore.
Continue on the Vijayawada-bound carriageway. Nellore Toll Plaza is reached before entering the main Nellore city area.
3. From Chennai
Travel north on NH 16 through Red Hills, Tada, Sullurpet, Naidupeta and Gudur.
Continue towards Venkatachalam and Nellore. The journey crosses several other toll plazas, so the ₹35 Venkatachalam charge is only one part of the total Chennai–Nellore toll cost.
4. From Tirupati
Use the appropriate highway route towards Srikalahasti, Naidupeta or Gudur.
Join NH 16 towards Nellore. The exact route and number of toll plazas depend on the connection selected by the navigation application.
5. From Krishnapatnam Port
Use the appropriate port or local connecting road towards Venkatachalam and NH 16.
Whether the plaza is crossed depends on the selected highway junction and final destination.
6. From Ongole
Travel south on NH 16 through Tangutur and the northern Nellore corridor.
Continue beyond Nellore city towards Venkatachalam and Gudur. A long Ongole-to-Gudur journey crosses more than one toll plaza.
Nellore and Budhanam Toll Plazas Are Different
Venkatachalam and Budhanam are separate toll plazas on the Tada–Nellore section of NH 16.
Venkatachalam, commonly called Nellore Toll Plaza, is located closer to Nellore city.
Budhanam Toll Plaza is situated farther south towards Naidupeta and Sullurpet.
A vehicle travelling between Nellore and Chennai may cross both plazas. Separate FASTag deductions are therefore not automatically duplicate charges.
Their plaza codes are:
- Venkatachalam Old Nellore: 48003
- Budhanam: 48002
Nellore and Tangutur Toll Plazas Are Different
Tangutur Toll Plaza is located north of Nellore on the Chilakaluripet–Nellore section of NH 16.
Venkatachalam Toll Plaza is south of Nellore on the Tada–Nellore section.
A vehicle travelling through Nellore from Ongole towards Gudur or Chennai may cross Tangutur, another northern plaza and Venkatachalam, depending on its entry point and complete route.
Drivers should compare the exact plaza name and code before reporting a duplicate FASTag transaction.
FASTag and Payment Information
FASTag is the standard toll-payment method at Nellore 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 correct vehicle category
- Has completed the necessary verification
- Is not suspended, damaged or blacklisted
The transaction message should display Venkatachalam, Old Nellore or plaza code 48003.
Maintain sufficient distance from the vehicle ahead when entering a toll lane. Following a truck or bus too closely may affect tag scanning.
An incorrect deduction can be reported through the FASTag-issuing bank, RajmargYatra or National Highway helpline 1033.
FASTag Annual Pass
The National Highway FASTag Annual Pass costs ₹3,075 for 2026–27.
It is available for eligible privately registered, non-commercial cars, jeeps and vans. The pass is valid for one year from activation or 200 eligible fee-plaza crossings, whichever occurs first.
One passage through a toll plaza counts as one crossing. Passing through Venkatachalam and later returning normally counts as two crossings.
Drivers should confirm successful activation and plaza eligibility in RajmargYatra before depending on the Annual Pass.
The pass is linked to the vehicle’s existing FASTag and cannot be transferred to another vehicle.
Facilities and Emergency Contacts
The public plaza listing does not identify a dedicated truck lay-by or static weighbridge at the toll point. Fuel stations, restaurants, hospitals and repair facilities are available around Venkatachalam and Nellore.
| Service | Contact number |
| National Highway assistance | 1033 |
| Highway emergency service | 1073 |
| Government ambulance | 108 |
| Medical emergency service | 102 |
| Toll control room | 8130006331 |
| Toll-plaza in-charge | 9849499592 |
| Crane assistance | 9849929689 |
| Ambulance assistance | 8106751033 |
| Route-patrol assistance | 8466996957 |
| Venkatachalam Police Station | 0861-2383333 |
| NHAI PIU Nellore | 8130006266 |
| NHAI Regional Office, Vijayawada | 8130006067 |
When requesting assistance, provide the highway number, travel direction, nearest landmark, vehicle registration number and nature of the emergency.
Traffic and Safety Tips
Nellore Toll Plaza may experience increased traffic during:
- Friday and Sunday travel periods
- Public holidays and long weekends
- Sankranti and other festival journeys
- Chennai–Nellore bus travel
- Krishnapatnam Port-related 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 16 carries buses, trucks, trailers, motorcycles and local traffic. Maintain additional distance from heavy vehicles.
During heavy rain, reduce speed and allow more braking distance. Do not stop near the toll lanes or on the active highway shoulder except during a genuine emergency.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: Why does the FASTag message show Venkatachalam instead of Nellore?
A: Venkatachalam is the official location-based name. Nellore Toll Plaza and Venkatachalam Old Nellore Fee Plaza generally refer to the same facility with code 48003.
Q2: Is there a return-journey discount at Nellore Toll Plaza?
A: The published tariff does not list a normal 24-hour return rate. The plaza follows an older fee framework, so drivers should not assume that the second crossing will receive an automatic return discount.
Q3: Will a Nellore-to-Chennai journey cross more than one toll plaza?
A: Yes. The journey normally crosses Venkatachalam and other plazas such as Budhanam and Sullurpet, depending on the complete route.
Q4: What should I do if the plaza charges more than ₹35 for a car?
A: Save the FASTag message and check the tariff board’s effective date. Ask the toll office whether a revised 2026–27 tariff has taken effect. An incorrect deduction can be disputed through the issuing bank, RajmargYatra or helpline 1033.
