Travel in Himachal gets costlier from today as govt hikes entry fee for outside vehicles, raises toll charges for all on highways

Travelling in Himachal Pradesh has become costlier from April 1 (2025) as private vehicles from other states and commercial vehicles will have to pay Rs 10 and Rs 20 more entry fee.
In addition, the rates at toll plazas have been increased too, the hike also applying to vehicles registered in Himachal Pradesh.

New entry fees for vehicles:
• Private vehicles will now have to pay Rs 70 instead of Rs 60.
• The entry fee for heavy goods vehicles has been increased from Rs 550 to Rs 570.
• For 6-12-seater passenger vehicles, the fee is now Rs 110.
• For 12+ seater vehicles, the charges will be Rs 180.
• Heavy goods vehicles over 250 quintals will now pay Rs 720 entry fee.
Interestingly, the new fee structure also applies to goods vehicles registered in Himachal Pradesh, in addition to vehicles registered in other states. No exemption has been given for Himachal-registered vehicles as the entry fee applies universally.

Hike of up to Rs 25 in toll rates on highways

The toll rates on major highways have also been revised. At the Sanwara toll plaza on the Kalka-Shimla National Highway in Solan district, new rates were implemented at midnight on April 1, with an increase of Rs 5 to Rs 25 for different categories of vehicles.
• For cars, jeeps, vans and LMVs, one-way toll is now Rs 75 and Rs 110 for both ways.
• For buses and trucks (two axle), the toll for one way has increased to Rs 250 and for both ways, it will now be Rs 370.
• Three axle commercial vehicles will pay Rs 270 one-way toll and Rs 405 for both directions.
• Oversized vehicles will now pay a one-way toll of Rs 475 and Rs 710 for both directions.
Toll rates at the Parwanoo toll plaza have also risen by 10 to 15%, while at the Bilaspur-Baloh toll on the Kiratpur-Manali highway, the charges have gone up by Rs 5 to Rs 15.

Sunil Chadha