Himachal Entry Tax Legal Notice: Ropar AAP MLA Dinesh Chadha has served a formal legal notice to the Himachal Pradesh Government, demanding the immediate removal of toll barriers on National Highways. The notice targets the state’s enforcement of the Himachal Pradesh Tolls Act, 1975, and its current 2026-27 toll policy.
The legal challenge is addressed to the Himachal Chief Secretary, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), and the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways. Chadha contends that the state is illegally collecting taxes on roads that fall under federal jurisdiction.
The MLA has grounded his argument in Article 246 of the Constitution of India. He asserts that National Highways remain the exclusive domain of the Union Government, making any state-imposed levy a direct encroachment on Parliamentary authority.
The notice highlights a critical judicial precedent from March 2026. The Supreme Court recently upheld a Madras High Court ruling which explicitly stated that only the Centre possesses the mandate to levy tolls on National Highways.
Chadha alleges that the Himachal Pradesh government is operating in “willful disregard” of this settled law. He argues that continuing collection despite the apex court’s clarification constitutes a serious legal overreach by the state authorities.
A significant portion of the dispute centers on alleged discrimination. While Himachal-registered vehicles are exempted, vehicles from Punjab and other states are forced to pay. Chadha argues this violates Article 14 of the Constitution, as the tax lacks a reasonable or legal justification.
This inter-state confrontation is expected to intensify if the toll barriers are not dismantled. The move marks a significant escalation in the ongoing friction between the neighboring states regarding transit and taxation policies.
