Himachal Pradesh Toll Charges to Rise From April 1, Cars to Pay ₹170 Instead of ₹70

Shimla:
Travelling to Himachal Pradesh will become more expensive from April 1, as the state government implements its revised toll policy for the financial year 2026–27. Under the new policy, toll fees at entry points into the hill state will see a significant hike for vehicles registered outside Himachal Pradesh.

According to officials, the increase in toll charges will range between ₹30 and ₹180, depending on the category of the vehicle. Vehicles registered within Himachal Pradesh, however, will continue to remain exempt from paying entry toll tax.

Higher Charges for Private Vehicles

As per the amended toll policy, light motor vehicles such as cars, jeeps, and vans will now be charged ₹170 per day, up from the existing ₹70. The revised rates are expected to directly impact tourists and visitors entering the state by road.

Toll charges for buses and trucks with up to two axles will remain unchanged at ₹570 per day, providing some relief to long-distance passenger and goods transport operators.

Revised Toll Rates for Other Vehicles

Under the new structure:

• Light commercial vehicles and mini-buses will be charged ₹320 per day
• Three-axle commercial vehicles will pay ₹600
• Heavy construction machinery will be charged ₹800
• Oversized vehicles with seven or more axles will be required to pay ₹900

Officials said the revised rates aim to rationalise toll collection and improve road infrastructure maintenance across the state.

FASTag Mandatory at All Entry Points

The policy also mandates FASTag-based toll collection at all entry barriers. Himachal Pradesh currently has 55 toll barriers, all of which will collect the revised entry fees electronically to ensure smoother traffic movement and better transparency.

To further streamline operations, auctions for toll barriers will now be conducted online. A district-level monitoring committee headed by the district magistrate will oversee toll collection and management.

Steps to Ease Traffic Congestion

In an effort to reduce congestion, the state plans to introduce multi-lane free-flow toll systems at key locations, including Parwanoo (Main) and the Tipra bypass in Solan district, as well as Garamaura in Bilaspur district.

Transport Bodies Oppose Toll Hike

The decision has drawn strong opposition from private transport associations. The Himachal Pradesh Private Bus Operators Association and the state unit of the Bus and Car Operators Confederation of India have termed the hike an attack on the private transport sector.

The associations have demanded an immediate rollback, arguing that several routes function as internal transport corridors. They said imposing entry tolls on routes such as Una–Jasur via Talwara, Jassur–Dhangu via Pathankot, and Una–Naina Devi via Nangal is impractical and unfair.

Despite the objections, the state government is expected to proceed with the revised toll policy from the beginning of the next financial year, a move likely to impact both tourism costs and freight movement into the hill state.