Chandigarh–Manali Highway Blocked: Traffic on the Chandigarh–Manali National Highway came to a standstill on Saturday morning after taxi and truck unions from Punjab staged a major protest against the Himachal Pradesh government’s recent entry tax notification. The blockade began around 9 am near Kiratpur Sahib, where hundreds of transporters gathered on the highway, bringing traffic to a halt and leaving thousands of commuters stranded for hours.
The Chandigarh–Manali route is one of the busiest highways connecting Punjab with the hill state of Himachal Pradesh and serves as a key corridor for tourism and trade. Because of the sudden blockade, long queues of vehicles formed on both sides of the highway. Tourists heading toward popular destinations such as Kullu and Manali faced major delays, while many commuters were forced to wait for hours before traffic could be diverted.
The protesting transporters said the agitation was triggered by a new notification issued by the Himachal Pradesh government regarding entry tax for commercial vehicles. According to union leaders, the policy exempts taxis and small commercial vehicles registered in Himachal Pradesh from paying the entry tax, while vehicles from neighbouring states like Punjab are required to pay the levy. They argue that this selective exemption creates an uneven business environment and places operators from other states at a clear disadvantage.
Members of several taxi and transport unions gathered at the protest site and staged a dharna, announcing that the highway blockade would continue until evening. Protesters raised slogans against the Himachal Pradesh government and accused it of introducing discriminatory policies that directly affect their livelihoods.
Transporters operating along the Punjab–Himachal border said the new tax system has already begun affecting their earnings. Many drivers claimed that tourists are now opting for Himachal-based taxis to avoid paying additional charges, resulting in fewer bookings for operators from Punjab.
One protesting driver said their daily income has dropped sharply since the notification came into effect. He explained that tourists naturally prefer vehicles that do not involve extra taxes, leaving transporters from outside the state struggling to compete.
Protest leaders Paramjit Singh Pamma and Gaurav Rana described the decision as unfair and harmful to transporters who rely on interstate operations. They said the policy encourages monopoly by giving an advantage to Himachal-based vehicles while penalising operators from other states. According to them, such measures go against the principles of fair trade and open competition.
The union leaders demanded that the Himachal Pradesh government immediately withdraw the notification and introduce a uniform tax policy that applies equally to commercial vehicles regardless of where they are registered. They warned that if the issue is not resolved soon, transport unions could intensify their agitation in the coming days.
Meanwhile, police and local authorities reached the protest site and tried to manage the situation by diverting vehicles to alternative routes. However, the scale of the protest made traffic management difficult, and many travelers remained stuck for long periods.
Transport unions have also urged the Punjab government to intervene and raise the matter with Himachal Pradesh authorities. They believe discussions between the two state governments are necessary to find a fair solution and prevent further disruption to transport and tourism.
The protest highlights growing tensions between transport operators in neighbouring states over taxation policies. With thousands of drivers dependent on cross-border travel for their livelihood, stakeholders say a balanced and transparent system is essential to ensure that transport businesses can operate without discrimination.
Summary – Key Highlights
Punjab transport unions blocked the Chandigarh–Manali National Highway near Kiratpur Sahib to protest Himachal Pradesh’s entry tax notification. The protest began at 9 am and caused major traffic disruptions, leaving thousands of commuters stranded for hours. Transporters claim the policy unfairly exempts Himachal-registered vehicles while taxing those from neighbouring states. Union leaders have demanded immediate withdrawal of the notification and a uniform tax policy for commercial vehicles. Authorities attempted to divert traffic, but the blockade caused significant delays on the busy highway.