Una, April 1: A three-hour blockade at the Mehatpur barrier caused significant travel disruptions on the Una-Chandigarh National Highway this Wednesday. The ‘Entry Tax Sanyukt Sangharsh Samiti’ organized the action to voice opposition to the Himachal Pradesh government’s increased entry taxes, which protesters stated unfairly penalizes local residents frequently crossing the Punjab-Himachal border.
The group, representing communities in both Una and Nangal, asserted that the new tax structure creates a financial barrier for those traveling for work and social visits. Members of the Samiti affirmed that the highway closure served as a preliminary warning and that further protests would be organized if the government does not roll back the rates.
In response to the roadblock, Una SDM Abhishek Mittal notified the public of several traffic diversions to maintain regional mobility. Commuters from Punjab were directed toward Santoshgarh and Una via the Ajouli route, while those traveling from the Himachal side were diverted through Bhatoli. The Ajouli barrier itself saw a temporary closure earlier in the day before authorities managed to restore flow by midday.
While the Mehatpur and Ajouli routes faced complications, administrative reports confirmed that the remaining nine inter-state barriers shared between Una and Punjab functioned without incident. Operations at high-traffic points, including Gagret and Polian, were reported as normal despite the local unrest.
