The Sangharsh Morcha opposing the entry toll barriers imposed by the Himachal Pradesh Government on vehicles entering the hill state has alleged that the toll barriers set up on National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) roads are illegal and has demanded immediate reciprocal taxation on Himachal Pradesh registered vehicles entering Punjab.
The legal advisor to the Sangharsh Morcha, advocate Uttkarsh Monga, while talking to The Tribune, claimed that information obtained under the RTI Act from NHAI authorities revealed that the Himachal Pradesh government had not taken mandatory permission from the NHAI to erect entry toll barriers on the Kiratpur Sahib-Manali national highway.
Monga said that the Project Director of the NHAI highway stretch from Kiratpur Sahib to Manali, in a reply under the RTI, had clarified that no permission had been sought by the Himachal Government before setting up entry toll barriers on the NHAI road.
Copies of the RTI replies, also available with The Tribune, further reveal that the NHAI authorities had repeatedly written to the Himachal Pradesh Government raising objections over the toll barriers. The highway authority reportedly informed the state government that the barriers were causing traffic congestion and inconvenience to commuters on the national highway and advised the Himachal authorities to construct separate lanes for collection of toll tax.
Monga argued that NHAI roads were properties of the Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways and any toll barrier or tax collection infrastructure on such roads required prior approval from the Union Government. “In view of these facts, the entry toll barriers imposed by Himachal Pradesh on NHAI roads and national highways are illegal,” he alleged.
Meanwhile, the Sangharsh Morcha has submitted a detailed draft policy to the Punjab Government seeking imposition of reciprocal entry tax on Himachal Pradesh registered vehicles entering Punjab.
Under the proposal, private vehicles registered in Himachal Pradesh could be charged up to Rs 700 per entry while Himachal government official vehicles and escort convoys may be charged up to Rs 5,000 per entry. The draft also proposes a toll of up to Rs 3,000 on HRTC buses and up to Rs 2,700 on heavy commercial vehicles entering Punjab.
Morcha leaders maintained that the high rates had been proposed to compensate Punjab residents for the financial losses allegedly suffered over the last more than 23 years due to toll barriers imposed by Himachal Pradesh on Punjab vehicles.
The proposed framework, drafted by advocate Uttansh Monga, invokes Punjab’s legislative powers under Entry 59 of the State List relating to tolls. The draft also includes provisions for leasing toll barriers, digital payment systems, quarterly and annual passes, penalties for violations and recovery mechanisms for unpaid toll dues.
According to the proposal, even official vehicles attached to constitutional and executive authorities of Himachal Pradesh, including ministers and senior bureaucrats, could come under the proposed reciprocal toll regime. However, constitutional offices such as the Governor and Chief Justice have been proposed to be exempted.
Morcha leaders said that residents, transporters and commuters from Punjab had repeatedly raised the issue before successive governments, alleging that Punjab vehicles had long been subjected to an unfair financial burden at Himachal entry barriers.
The Sangarsh Morcha has warned that if the Punjab Government fails to impose reciprocal entry tax on Himachal Pradesh vehicles, the agitation would be intensified from June 1.
Leaders announced that traffic blockades and protests would be launched at all Himachal Pradesh entry toll barriers bordering Punjab.
