Shimla, March 31: Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu announced on Tuesday that the state would withdraw a controversial increase in entry taxes for vehicles at border points. The decision follows intense demonstrations and concerns over potential blockades along the interstate boundaries with Punjab.
Under the restored rate structure, five-seater vehicles will return to a charge of 70 rupees, while vehicles with a capacity of six to 12 seats will pay 110 rupees. The government had previously proposed a unified hike that would have seen both categories charged 130 rupees per entry.
The Chief Minister asserted that the administration decided to revert to the original fees to prevent further unrest. He maintained that misinformation had played a role in the public’s reaction to the policy.
“Confusion over the issue was being deliberately spread, even though the increase was nominal for most vehicle categories,” Sukhu stated.
In an effort to accommodate local commuters, the Chief Minister declared that special transit passes would be issued to those residing within a five-kilometer radius of the toll barriers. Officials affirmed that these measures are intended to alleviate the financial burden on residents who frequently cross the border for daily activities.
