3 min readShimlaDec 10, 2025 08:00 PM IST
First published on: Dec 10, 2025 at 08:00 PM IST
The Himachal Pradesh High Court has directed the state government and the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) to file their replies in a matter concerning the alleged illegal imposition of tolls on several national highways in the state under the Himachal Pradesh Tolls Act, 1975.
A division bench of Chief Justice Gurmeet Singh Sandhawalia and Justice Jiya Lal Bhardwaj issued the notices while hearing a connected petition of advocate Uttansh Monga. The matter was listed for next hearing on March 7, 2026.
During the hearing, Additional Solicitor General Pranay Pratap Singh, Central government counsel Vandana Misra, and advocate Shreya Chauhan appeared and accepted notices on behalf of the respective respondents. The counsel representing NHAI sought time to file a short affidavit detailing the status of the toll barriers and issues raised in the petition.
The state’s counsel too requested for time to file replies to both the application and the main petition.
The petitioner, advocate Monga, submitted additional facts, stating that several toll barriers established under the Himachal Pradesh Tolls Act, 1975, continue to operate on national highways despite being unconstitutional. The toll barriers identified include Garamaura (Kiratpur-Manali), Parwanoo (Chandigarh-Shimla), Tunuhatti, Kala Amb, Kandwal, Baddi, Mehatpur, and the Barmala/Gwalthai toll barrier on the Nangal–Una–Bharwain route.
The petitioner argued that toll collection on national highways falls exclusively within the jurisdiction of the Central government and cannot be imposed under state legislation such as the 1975 Act. The petition sought directions to immediately cease toll collection at all state-notified barriers located on national highways and amend the Himachal Pradesh Tolls Act to insert the words “except national highways as declared by the Central government” after the term “any road infrastructure”. It sought directions to the authorities to produce all relevant documents.
In a separate compliance-related matter, the state government submitted a letter, dated December 8, stating that restoration work at the landslide-affected stretch near the MLA Crossing leading to Boileauganj has been substantially completed. A redesigned road alignment with a proposed roundabout is being finalised by HPPWD Division III. Tarring work will commence after winter.
The court directed that all codal formalities be completed and asked NHAI to file an affidavit identifying other problematic locations.
The counsel representing NHAI sought time to file a short affidavit detailing the status of the toll barriers and issues raised in the petition. (File photo) 
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