Overview
- Facing protests, the Himachal government on Tuesday fixed the entry charge at ₹100 for non-Himachal passenger vehicles up to 12+1 seats, extended 5 km concessional passes to border residents, and exempted Himachal-registered commercial light vehicles including taxis.
- Protesters mounted blockades on Wednesday at several entry points, including Garmoda on the Kiratpur–Nerchowk road, and cited confusion over ₹100 receipts despite talk of a rollback and objections to paying both national highway tolls and a state entry fee.
- Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann warned on Wednesday that Punjab may impose a reciprocal entry charge on Himachal-registered vehicles if the policy is not withdrawn.
- The opposition BJP in Himachal protested outside the assembly on Tuesday, accused the Sukhu government of ill‑judged tax decisions, and demanded an immediate, full rollback.
- The Himachal government calls the move a rationalisation tied to FASTag integration and says entry fees have existed for about 30 years, while transport and farm groups argue daily cross‑border commuters face new costs and warn of hits to tourism and local trade.