Ahead Of April 1 Toll Hike, Himachal Pradesh Border Sees Protests And Long Traffic Jams

Demonstrators from adjoining Haryana gathered in the morning and blocked the Barotiwala entry point in Solan district at around 8:30 am, triggering a massive traffic jam that lasted nearly two and a half hours. People raised slogans against the state government as the situation intensified. Police from Himachal Pradesh and Haryana reached the spot and brought the crowd under control, allowing vehicles to pass through the toll without paying any charges for a while.

A large number of people, including local leaders, panchayat members, and BDC (Block Development Committee) members from Haryana, joined the protest. During the agitation, they submitted a written request to Baddi Tehsildar Jitendra Thakur, demanding that vehicles should not have to pay any entry tax within 5 kilometres of the Himachal–Haryana border.

A local panchayat member, Ravi Kant Sharma, strongly criticised the government and described the toll charge as a “goonda charge.” He further stated that Himachal Pradesh, known as “Dev Bhoomi,” is now becoming like a “land of demons” due to such policies.

Another protester, Laxman Das, said that people living near the border share close social and cultural connections, with many frequently travelling to Himachal Pradesh for religious visits to places like Haripur and Baba Balaknath. However, the increased toll tax is making these regular visits more expensive.

The protests followed the Himachal Pradesh government’s decision to amend its toll policy by hiking fees for private vehicles from other states effective April 1. Under the revised structure, toll charges have been increased by Rs 30 to Rs 180, depending on the type of vehicle. Cars, jeeps, and vans will now pay Rs 170 instead of Rs 70, light commercial vehicles and mini buses will be charged Rs 320 per day, and heavy construction machines will be charged Rs 800.

Protesting groups have warned that they will shut down all entry points between Punjab and Himachal Pradesh starting midnight on March 31 and block roads for an indefinite period. They plan to block 11 entry points in the Rupnagar district, which could affect around 33 routes across Punjab, including key roads such as the Kiratpur Sahib–Manali highway and the Ghanauli–Bharatgarh road.

The escalating protests and planned blockades signal a widening conflict over the toll policy, with significant implications for interstate travel, local connectivity, and regional movement across Himachal Pradesh and neighbouring states.