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Written by OM THAKUR

Shimla: Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Tuesday announced the rollback of the recent hike in entry tax for vehicles in border areas, following protests and public backlash.

Under the revised decision, the state government has restored the earlier tax rates, with:

• ₹70 for five-seater vehicles
• ₹110 for 6–12 seater vehicles

The proposed hike had increased the tax to ₹130 for both categories, triggering resentment among commuters and transporters.

Move Follows Protests

The rollback comes amid widespread protests, particularly from neighbouring states, where commuters had objected to the steep increase in entry charges at border points.

Govt Cites Miscommunication

The Chief Minister said there was confusion and misinformation around the tax revision, adding that the increase was relatively nominal for most vehicle categories but had been misinterpreted.

Relief for Local Residents

To further ease concerns, the government announced that residents living within a 5-km radius of toll points will be issued special passes, exempting them from repeated charges. The decision is expected to defuse tensions and restore normal movement across border areas, especially along Punjab–Himachal routes, where the issue had escalated in recent days.