Shimla civic body to impose green tax on vehicles from other states

The Shimla Municipal Corporation (SMC) is set to implement a green tax on vehicles from other states entering the capital city. A proposal to this effect was passed during the SMC’s monthly general house meeting recently. During the meeting, discussions were held on implementing the green fee in the city.

Advertisement

It was mentioned that vehicles with number plates from other states can register for an ID with the SMC to claim exemption from the tax. The funds collected through the green fee will be used for environmental conservation. Shimla Mayor Surender Chauhan said that the corporation intended to charge the green fee on vehicles entering Shimla from other states and had sought approval from the state government for its implementation.

The Mayor said, “The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) had rejected the charging of a green fee earlier. The proposal has again been sent to the state government and further steps will be taken once the corporation receives approval.”

He added that no barriers for green fee collection would be installed at the entry points of the city. Instead, the fees would be deducted online. “The corporation has developed a software through which the green fee will be automatically charged from vehicles from other states entering the city. The software will be accessible via an application.”

The scheme has been in the pipeline for the past 10 years but is yet to be implemented. Though the scheme was mentioned in the Budget for financial year 2024-25, it did not come to fruition. However, the corporation has now initiated the process for the implementation of the green fee this year though it was not mentioned in the Budget for 2025-26.