Uttarakhand Introduces Green Cess For Out-Of-State Vehicles Starting December; All You Need To Know Before Driving In

While tourism boosts the economy, the increasing vehicular traffic takes a toll on Uttarakhand’s environment. In response, Uttarakhand is gearing up to implement a “green cess,” a small but impactful step to balance the influx of visitors with sustainable practices. This will be applicable for vehicles not registered within the state. It is expected to be implemented by the end of December. This initiative aims to manage the increasing traffic from out-of-state vehicles, particularly during peak seasons. Read on to know what it entails.

What Is The Green Cess Implemented In Uttarakhand?

The green cess is a charge that will be levied on vehicles from outside Uttarakhand that enter the state. This fee will range from ₹20 to ₹80, depending on the type of vehicle. The cess will apply to both commercial and private vehicles, but certain exemptions will apply.

Vehicles that will not be charged include:

• Two-wheelers
• Electric and CNG vehicles
• Vehicles registered in Uttarakhand
• Emergency vehicles like ambulances and fire brigades

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How Will This New Initiative Work?

The green cess will be automatically deducted from the vehicle’s FASTag. As per the Hindustan Times reports, this system will use Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras to detect vehicles registered outside Uttarakhand, and the appropriate amount will be charged based on the type of vehicle:

• ₹20 for three-wheelers
• ₹40 for four-wheelers
• ₹60 for medium vehicles
• ₹80 for heavy vehicles

The cess will be charged on a daily basis, but vehicle owners can opt for extended validity passes, as per the reports from Hindustan Times. For example:

• A quarterly pass will cost 20 times the daily rate.
• An annual pass will cost 60 times the daily rate.

Particularly during tourist seasons, Uttarakhand sees a significant increase in automobile traffic. This new levy is designed to manage the traffic congestion and environmental impact of these out-of-state vehicles, ensuring smoother traffic flow and better maintenance of roads and infrastructure.The process for implementing the cess system has already begun, with the target to make it operational by December. 

Once in place, the green cess will be a part of Uttarakhand’s efforts to regulate tourism-related traffic.

Cover Image Courtesy: Wikimedia Commons