Are you planning a road trip to a hill station in Uttarakhand this December? If yes, be ready to pay a green tax that will apply to vehicles entering from other states. This new initiative aims to combat pollution and protect the environment in these regions. Here’s everything you need to know.
Vehicles Entering Uttarakhand To Pay Green Tax From December
Vehicles entering Uttarakhand, home to popular hill stations like Mussoorie, Nainital, and Lansdowne, will now have to pay a ‘green tax’ starting this December. As per a report by The Times of India, officials from the state transport department have stated that the tax rates will vary depending on the vehicle type. Here are the announced rates:
- Small passenger vehicles: ₹80
- Small goods carriers: ₹250
- Buses: ₹140
- Trucks: ₹120-₹700 (depending on load capacity)
The main aim of introducing a green tax is to curb vehicular pollution. Officials also believe it’s an important step to protect Uttarakhand’s fragile Himalayan ecosystem and promote cleanliness across the state.
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Initiative Aims To Help The Environment
State Additional Transport Commissioner Sanat Kumar Singh told The Times of India that the system will rely on Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) technology. Cameras installed at border checkpoints will record the registration numbers of incoming vehicles.
The transport department has engaged a private vendor to manage the green tax collection process. The captured data will be automatically sent to the vendor’s software, which will filter out Uttarakhand-registered, electric, CNG, ambulance, fire brigade, and two-wheeler vehicles. The verified information will then be sent to the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) database, where the applicable amount or the green tax will be deducted automatically.
According to officials, the move is part of the government’s larger plan to promote responsible travel in Uttarakhand. The rise in tourist and commercial traffic in recent years has increased pollution in hill stations. The green tax is expected not only to reduce environmental damage but also to generate dedicated revenue for environmental protection. The collected money will also go towards the development of sustainable transport infrastructure in Uttarakhand.
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This initiative is definitely a positive step toward promoting responsible travel in hill stations. What do you think of the new green tax in Uttarakhand? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
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