Commuters navigating the Mataur-Shimla National Highway-88 in the Kangra district of Himachal Pradesh are confronting significantly steeper travel expenses following a major toll revision at the Ghatta-Ranital toll plaza. The National Highways Authority of India put the upgraded tariff into effect on Thursday, sharply increasing the rates across multiple vehicle categories. Under the new schedule, the 24-hour round-trip charge for light private vehicles, including cars and jeeps, jumped from Rs 35 to Rs 100. This near threefold escalation has triggered widespread public dissatisfaction, particularly because long stretches of the highway remain unfinished and the newly bored tunnels along the corridor have not yet been opened to traffic.
Highway Length and Toll Guidelines Under the New Notice
The updated fee structure took effect on October 1 at the Ghatta facility along the Shimla-Mataur corridor. According to the formal notice issued by the National Highways Authority of India, the levy covers the stretch linking Chailbahl to Bhangwar and continuing from Bhangwar to the Kangra bypass. The authority specified the road dimensions in its gazette, detailing a 13.630-kilometer section upgraded to four lanes alongside a 35.745-kilometer stretch that still functions as a two-lane road. Motorists argue that levying elevated tariffs on an infrastructure project where the majority of the length remains a two-lane carriageway is premature and unjust.
The administrative notification also laid out payment compliance conditions for passing vehicles. Drivers lacking a functional Fastag who settle their toll using UPI will face a surcharge of 1.25 times the standard toll fee. To assist travelers facing breakdowns or unexpected emergencies along this corridor, authorities directed motorists to the toll-free assistance helpline at 1033.
Detailed Tariff Breakdown Across Vehicle Classes
The revised fee chart differentiates charges based on axle count and vehicle type. Drivers of cars, jeeps, vans, and light motor vehicles must pay Rs 65 for a single transit. Those completing a return journey within 24 hours are charged Rs 100, while frequent private travelers can purchase a monthly pass covering 50 single trips for Rs 2,210.
For light commercial vehicles, light goods carriers, and minibuses, single-trip passage costs Rs 105, with same-day returns set at Rs 160. A 50-trip monthly pass for this category is priced at Rs 3,570. Standard two-axle buses and heavy trucks must pay Rs 225 for one-way passage and Rs 340 for a return trip, with their 50-trip monthly pass fixed at Rs 7,480.
Commercial haulers with three axles face fees of Rs 245 for a one-way trip, Rs 370 for a return run, and Rs 8,155 for a monthly pass. Heavy multi-axle freight vehicles operating four to six axles are assessed Rs 350 for a single crossing and Rs 525 for a same-day return, with monthly pass costs reaching Rs 11,725. For oversized carriers having seven or more axles, single crossings cost Rs 430, return trips stand at Rs 645, and the 50-journey monthly permit requires Rs 14,275.
Local Pass Concessions and Community Resistance
To cushion the economic blow on nearby residents, the notification provides a dedicated relief mechanism for private non-commercial vehicle owners living within a 20-kilometer radius of the toll barrier. Qualified local residents can obtain a monthly commuter pass for Rs 360 per month, while an annual pass covering the 2026-27 period is offered at Rs 3,075.
Addressing the growing discontent, Kangra SDM Dr. Anjali Garg posted on the local administration's social media channels, stating that the administration has approached higher authorities to secure special toll concessions for residents living within a 5-kilometer perimeter of the plaza. Urging patience and cooperation while high-level deliberations continue, she noted that a final resolution may take time. However, public sentiment remains strongly critical. Commuter Anshu Joshi argued that motorists driving solely between Kangra, Ranital, and onward to Dehra should not be forced to pay the full Rs 65 tariff, urging administrative intervention with the highways authority. Another resident, Abhinav, described the steep fee as outright robbery on an incomplete road, questioning why someone traveling from Kangra to Dehra and back should pay Rs 100 after utilizing only a fraction of the route. This wave of online protest follows a physical demonstration staged by local residents the previous week, which had prompted the SDM to visit the location directly to hear public grievances.
