SHIMLA: Vehicle density on Himachal Pradesh’s roads continues to rise significantly, with over 4.91 lakh new vehicles registered in the hill state over the past three years. This addition has pushed the state’s total registered vehicle count close to 24 lakh. The influx, combined with thousands of daily out-of-state vehicles—particularly during the peak tourist season—has made severe traffic jams a routine issue in popular tourist destinations like Shimla and Manali.
The figures were presented by the state government during the recent Monsoon Session of the Legislative Assembly. Out of the 4,91,285 total vehicles registered over the three-year period, two-wheelers made up the largest share, totaling 2,78,911. Within this category, motorcycles and scooters accounted for 2.73 lakh registrations. Additionally, 1,80,336 motor cars were registered, alongside over 78 agricultural tractors. Electric vehicles accounted for 6,248 of the newly registered units.
The total vehicle count in the state has nearly doubled over the past decade. In 2016, Himachal Pradesh had around 12.37 lakh registered vehicles, a figure now approaching 24 lakh. During the same period, the state’s total road network expanded to nearly 42,000 kilometers, extending motorable road access and link routes to almost every village, naturally contributing to the rise in personal transport options.
The seasonal influx of tourists further burdens local infrastructure, with the state aiming to attract five crore visitors annually. Shimla alone accounts for 1.92 lakh registered vehicles, turning vehicular parking into a major urban challenge.
To mitigate congestion and emissions, the state government stated that a dedicated policy is in place to promote electric vehicles. Under various schemes administered by the Labour and Employment Department, EV buyers receive subsidies, including a 100 percent exemption on registration fees, permits, and toll taxes, along with a 50 percent concession on the Special Road Tax.
