By IANS,
Shimla: If you are entering Shimla and your vehicle is not registered in Himachal Pradesh, you will have to pay a ‘green tax’ from Saturday.
The tax imposed by the Shimla Municipal Corporation came into effect from midnight at all entry points to the town on all class of automobiles, both commercial and private, Corporation Commissioner M.P. Sood told IANS.
The tax, in line with that in Manali town, is expected to raise Rs.6 crore annually.
A two-wheeler has to pay Rs.100 per entry, whereas a car and a bus/truck have to pay Rs.200 and Rs.500 respectively per entry. The tax on utility vehicles is Rs.300.
Officials of the debt-ridden municipal corporation said the amount generated from the tax would be utilised for developing infrastructure for tourists, besides improving civic amenities, cleanliness and adopting environment protection measures.
As per municipal corporation estimates, more than 5,000 vehicles are entering Shimla every day during the peak tourist season.
The four entry points where the green tax would be charged are Tara Devi, Totu, Dhalli and Mahali.