SHIMLA: In a major relief for private vehicle owners in the hill state capital, the Himachal Pradesh government has significantly slashed the annual permit fees for plying vehicles on sealed and restricted roads across Shimla.
The state government notified the decision through the Shimla Road Users and Pedestrians (Public Safety and Convenience) Amendment Ordinance, 2026.
Under the newly amended rules, the annual pass fee for private vehicles on sealed roads has been reduced from ₹15,000 to ₹8,000 per road. Similarly, the annual permit charges for driving on restricted roads have been brought down from ₹5,000 to ₹3,000 per vehicle for every road.
In another significant step toward public convenience, the ordinance introduces a flexible six-month pass option for residents. Vehicle owners can now obtain a six-month pass for sealed roads at ₹4,500 and for restricted roads at ₹2,000 per road.
Previously, there was no provision for short-term permits under six months. Vehicle owners who required access for just a few months were forced to pay the full annual fee. The new flexible duration option is expected to provide substantial financial relief to residents needing short-term access.
Just a heads-up if you’re driving around Shimla: general vehicles aren’t allowed on the city’s restricted and sealed roads without a valid permit. You’ll need to secure a special pass beforehand, or you could face heavy fines for unauthorized driving. If you pay the fine on the spot, authorized police officers actually have the discretion to cut the amount in half.
Sealed and Restricted Routes
Beyond the popular Mall Road, these main stretches fall under the sealed and restricted categories:
- Navbahar to the Ridge
- Chhota Shimla to Mall Road and the Ridge
- Indira Gandhi Medical College (IGMC) to the Ridge
- Accountant General (AG) Office to CTO Chowk
- Boileauganj to Vidhan Sabha (via the Institute of Advanced Study)
A Quick History Lesson
Vehicle bans on these routes-especially Mall Road-date all the way back to the 19th-century British colonial era. The British designed these areas as pedestrian-friendly zones meant for walking and relaxing, strictly limiting vehicular traffic. Back then, only the Viceroy, Governors, and a handful of top-tier officials had permission to drive there.
Post-Independence & Legal Enforcement
After Independence, the rules stayed in place to preserve the charm, environment, and core heritage of Shimla. To give these regulations strict legal teeth, the Himachal Pradesh government passed the Shimla Road Users and Pedestrians (Public Safety and Convenience) Act, 2007. This law officially categorized these key routes into strictly managed “Sealed” and “Restricted” zones.
