With Himachal Pradesh set to enforce an increased entry tax from April 1, opposition is building in the border belt, where residents and political leaders from both Punjab and Himachal Pradesh are preparing a joint pushback against the move.
The issue has triggered concern across adjoining areas, with fears that the revised levy will directly impact daily commuters, small traders and transporters who frequently cross the inter state boundary. Local groups have begun mobilising, indicating that the protest could intensify in the coming days.
Punjab Education and Public Relations Minister Harjot Singh Bains said the Punjab government is considering imposing an entry tax on commercial vehicles registered in Himachal Pradesh as a reciprocal step. He clarified that the aim is not to burden the common people but to respond to the difficulties being faced by those entering Himachal Pradesh and paying the tax.
Bains also said that Punjab will approach the Supreme Court, challenging the legality of the entry tax imposed on national highways. He argued that these roads fall under the jurisdiction of the National Highways Authority of India and that levying such a tax is not legally sustainable.
Political voices from Himachal Pradesh have also raised concerns. BJP MLA from Una, Satpal Satti, criticised the state government, stating that the enhanced entry tax is not delivering the projected revenue benefits. He said the levy is placing an unnecessary burden on residents of border areas in both states and is adversely affecting local trade and business activity.
Speaking at an event in Nangal, Satti further alleged that toll collection contractors at certain barriers have deposited only a fraction of the promised revenue, claiming that the government’s figures on earnings are overstated.
On the ground, resistance is taking an organised shape. Local organisations have announced a traffic blockade along the inter state border from April 1, the day the revised tax comes into effect. The protest is expected to disrupt movement across key crossing points.
The transport union in Himachal Pradesh is also likely to join the agitation, signalling wider industry backing to the protest. Paramjit Singh Pamma, president of the Sangharsh Morcha opposing the entry toll, said residents of Nangal will participate in the blockade, underlining that the agitation is aimed at forcing a rollback of the increased tax.
With both administrative and political responses sharpening, the issue is set to escalate into a larger inter state dispute if a resolution is not reached before the implementation date.