The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has strongly criticized the Congress-led Himachal Pradesh government over the sharp increase in permit fees for restricted roads in Shimla, alleging that the move will impose an additional financial burden on residents, traders, and tourists.
BJP State Media Co-Convenor Karan Nanda accused the state government of promoting inflation instead of providing relief to the public. He stated that increasing permit charges fivefold in a sensitive and tourism-dependent city like Shimla reflects an “anti-people and impractical decision.”
Addressing the media, Nanda claimed that the Congress government has significantly increased multiple permit-related charges, including:
- Permit issuance fee raised from ₹2,000 to ₹10,000
- Processing fee increased from ₹100 to ₹500
- Temporary pass fee hiked from ₹200 to ₹1,000
- Daily vehicle fee increased from ₹100 to ₹500
He further alleged that penalties for driving without a permit have also been tightened, with fines now reaching up to ₹10,000 and provisions for imprisonment of up to 15 days, compared to the earlier fine limit of ₹3,000.
According to the BJP leader, the decision shows that the state government is disconnected from ground realities in Shimla and is focusing solely on increasing revenue at the expense of common citizens. He added that residents are already burdened by rising fuel prices, taxes, and inflation, and such measures further increase economic pressure.
The BJP accused the Congress government of repeatedly implementing policies that make everyday life more difficult for ordinary people, claiming that rising fees and taxes are being used to cover administrative failures.
Nanda warned that if the government does not immediately withdraw the decision, the BJP will raise the issue both on the streets and in the legislative assembly and continue its protest in support of public interest.
