From April 1, travelers entering Himachal Pradesh will face higher charges at the point of entry toll plazas as the government revised toll regulations for the coming fiscal year, it has significantly increased tolls on private cars entering the mountain state.
The increase in toll rates ranges from ₹30 to ₹180, depending on the type of vehicle. In particular, vehicles with Himachal Pradesh registration will be exempted from this fee. Under the 2026-2027 toll regulations, light motor vehicles (LMVs) – including cars, jeeps and vans – will be charged an adjusted fee of ₹170, more than ₹70. Conversely, the tariff will remain constant at ₹570 for buses and trucks with up to two axles.
The updated daily rates for light commercial vehicles and minibuses have been set at ₹320, while three-axle business units will be required to pay ₹600. Heavy construction equipment will be charged ₹800 and massive vehicles with seven or more axles must pay ₹900 pass through the Himachal Pradesh checkpoint. The policy stipulates that entry fees must be paid at the barriers, with Fastag a mandatory requirement for all.
There are currently 55 toll checkpoints in Himachal Pradesh and the increased tolls are expected to affect both tourism spending and freight logistics.
According to a PTI In a report, the official said on Thursday that the auctions for these hurdles will be shifted to online format and district-level committees headed by district magistrates will be set up to oversee the operations.
To ease traffic congestion, the authorities plan to install free-flow multi-lane electronic toll systems at Parwanoo (Main) and Tipra bypass in Solan district and also at Garamaura in Bilaspur district.
Meanwhile, the Himachal Pradesh Private Bus Operators Association and the state division of the Confederation of Indian Bus and Auto Operators have expressed strong opposition to the planned tax hike. Calling it a strike against the private transit industry, these groups have demanded an immediate reversal of the policy, arguing that sectors like Una-Jasur via Talwara, Jassur-Dhangu via Pathankot and Una-Naina Devi via Nangal are crucial internal corridors where entry charges are fundamentally impractical.
Along with the toll reforms, the government is strengthening consumption tax collection, a key component of the state’s own tax revenue.
The 2026-27 excise duty framework continues to allocate spirits based on auctions with rationalized reserve prices linked to past income and consumption patterns. Digital tracking of stock movement, stricter enforcement and transparent tendering are expected to result in higher license fees, excise duty and VAT collection.