In a move that has sparked outrage among commuters and tourism stakeholders, the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) has increased toll rates on the Kalka-Shimla National Highway-5 just days before the New Year rush. The revised rates, effective from midnight Saturday, mark the third toll hike in a single year at Sanwara toll plaza.
Third hike in 12 months raises eyebrows
What has particularly frustrated travelers and transport operators is that this is the third time NHAI has revised toll rates at Sanwara toll plaza within one year. The timing—just before the New Year celebrations and Winter Carnival in Shimla—has raised questions about the rationale behind the increase.
NHAI has issued orders to toll plaza operators to implement the revised rates with immediate effect. The notification clarifies that the Sanwara toll now covers the stretch from Parwanoo to Solan and Solan to Kaithlighat on the Kalka-Shimla National Highway, totaling 80.722 kilometers.
The revised toll structure has been categorized based on vehicle types, with separate rates for one-way travel, same-day return, monthly passes for 50 trips, and district-registered commercial vehicles.
Complete new toll rate structure:
| Vehicle Category | One-way (Rs) | 24-hr Return (Rs) | Monthly Pass (Rs) | District Commercial (Rs) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Car, Jeep, Van, Light Vehicle | 110 | 165 | 3,675 | 55 |
| Light Commercial Vehicle, Minibus | 180 | 265 | 5,935 | 90 |
| Bus & Truck (2-axle) | 375 | 560 | 12,440 | 185 |
| 3-axle Commercial Vehicle | 405 | 610 | 13,570 | 205 |
| HCM, EME, MAV (4-6 axle) | 585 | 880 | 19,510 | 295 |
| Oversized Vehicle (7+ axle) | 710 | 1,070 | 23,750 | 355 |
Previous toll rates (for comparison):
| Vehicle Category | One-way (Rs) | 24-hr Return (Rs) |
|---|---|---|
| Car, Jeep, Van, Light Vehicle | 70 | 105 |
| Light Commercial Vehicle, Minibus | 115 | 170 |
| Bus & Truck (2-axle) | 240 | 360 |
| 3-axle Commercial Vehicle | 260 | 390 |
| HCM, EME, MAV (4-6 axle) | 375 | 565 |
| Oversized Vehicle (7+ axle) | 455 | 685 |
Steep increases across all categories
The hike represents significant jumps across all vehicle categories:
- Private cars: One-way increased from Rs 70 to Rs 110 (Rs 40 increase, 57% hike)
- Light commercial vehicles: From Rs 115 to Rs 180 (Rs 65 increase, 56% hike)
- Buses and trucks (2-axle): From Rs 240 to Rs 375 (Rs 135 increase, 56% hike)
- Heavy vehicles (4-6 axle): From Rs 375 to Rs 585 (Rs 210 increase, 56% hike)
- Oversized vehicles (7+ axle): From Rs 455 to Rs 710 (Rs 255 increase, 56% hike)
Return journey rates have also been proportionally increased, with monthly passes becoming substantially more expensive.
Tourism industry fears impact
The timing of the toll hike has raised concerns within Himachal’s tourism industry, which was hoping for a robust winter season. With the Shimla Winter Carnival scheduled from December 24 to January 1 and New Year celebrations expected to draw large crowds, the increased travel costs could deter tourists.
Hotel associations and tour operators have expressed apprehension that the sudden cost escalation—announced just days before the peak period—will negatively impact visitor numbers. Many families planning trips to Shimla for Christmas and New Year may reconsider their plans due to the additional expense.
A family of four traveling from Chandigarh to Shimla in a private car will now pay Rs 110 one-way (up from Rs 70), adding Rs 80 to their round-trip travel cost. For multiple trips or commercial operators, the impact is far more substantial.
The toll hike doesn’t just affect tourists. Daily commuters traveling between Solan, Parwanoo, and surrounding areas for work, students commuting to educational institutions, and commercial vehicle operators transporting goods will all face increased costs.
Despite the criticism, a rollback of the toll hike appears unlikely. NHAI operates under central government authority, and toll rate revisions are generally implemented as planned unless there’s overwhelming political pressure or legal challenges.
