Protest in Punjab over entry tax hike by Himachal blocks traffic for an hour

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Talwara block and the Taxi Union Talwara staged a protest on Thursday at the Sansarpur Terrace toll barrier against an increase in entry toll tax imposed by the Himachal Pradesh Government from April 1. Protesters blocked traffic on the Sansarpur Terrace–Pong Dam–Talwara road for nearly an hour.

Demonstrators called for an immediate rollback of the revised toll rates. During the protest, Taxi Union Talwara president and Block Transport Wing head Deepak Kumar Deepu, along with other speakers, criticised the Himachal Pradesh government, alleging that the steep hike in toll charges for vehicles from other states has placed an undue financial burden on the public.

Hundreds gathered at the toll barrier on the Himachal–Punjab border, warning that if the tax is not withdrawn, a larger agitation would be launched with support from residents of Talwara and Hajipur.

Speakers said entry toll tax has been levied on vehicles from other states in Himachal Pradesh for several years, a practice long viewed as unjust by people in Punjab. They argued that the tax not only creates an economic burden but also hampers smooth movement and affects the spirit of cooperation between the two states.

Those present included Thakur Baldev Singh, employee leader Bodhraj, Manohar Lal, Ashok Kumar, Ashwani Kumar, Mahavir Singh, Akshay Kumar, Jarnail Singh, Shamsher Singh, Subhash Kumar and Parminder Singh Tinu.

The traffic blockade caused significant disruption, with passengers travelling from Himachal Pradesh towards Talwara, Hajipur, Mukerian, Dasuya, Hoshiarpur and Jalandhar facing delays. Many were forced to walk to the Talwara bus stand.