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News Travelling To Lahaul-Spiti In Your Own Vehicle? You May Have To Pay Tax Soon
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Travelling To Lahaul-Spiti In Your Own Vehicle? You May Have To Pay Tax Soon

Travelling to Lahaul-Spiti in your own vehicle will soon attract tax as a barrier has been set up near Rohtang's Atal Tunnel.

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By: Aneesh Kumar Published: Sep 14, 2021 11:48 AM IST

Travelling To Lahaul-Spiti In Your Own Vehicle? You May Have To Pay Tax Soon
Photo Courtesy: Shutterstock

A trip to Lahaul-Spiti in your own vehicle will soon attract tax as a barrier has been set up near Rohtang’s Atal Tunnel, which was inaugurated last year. We tell you more. By Aneesh Kumar

Ever since the opening of the Atal Tunnel by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on October 3 last year, the flow of vehicles entering Lahaul has significantly increased. To keep a check on this, tourists will now have to pay a tax to enter the Lahaul-Spiti region, reports Mint.

Elaborating on this new development, Keylong Sub Divisional Magistrate (SDM) Priya Nagra said that a barrier has been set up at Sissu in Lahaul near Rohtang’s Atal Tunnel by the Special Area Development Authority (SADA), reports NDTV. Nagra added that the tax will be paid according to the vehicle type—INR 50 for two-wheelers, INR 200 for cars, INR 300 for SUVs and MUVs, and INR 500 for buses and trucks. She further states that the tax money thus collected will be used for the development of the area.

While paying this tax is a mandate for tourists, it’s not a rule for vehicles regularly travelling in the region. While such vehicles need not pay the tax, but they will need to apply for an exemption, reports India Today

Times of India reports that all Himachal Pradesh-registered vehicles will be exempted from the tax, provided that they have a pass to use the route frequently. The tax is not limited to just vehicles entering Lahaul, but also those travelling to Leh, Pangi and Kishtwar. Tourists halting at Atal tunnel will not be charged there, but will instead be halted at the north portal if they head towards Sissu, Keylong, Udaipur, Ladakh or other areas.

This tax is a result of a proposal submitted by the Lahaul-Spiti administration to keep the tourist flow in check that has been booming since the construction of the tunnel.

Related: Having Walked From Leh To Spiti Valley, Here’s How Climate Activist Aakash Ranison Is Redefining Road Trips

Written By

Aneesh Kumar

Aneesh Kumar

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