Himachal High Court Halts Toll Collection at Sanwara Over Poor Road Conditions

In a strong stand for commuter rights, the Himachal Pradesh High Court has temporarily stopped toll collection at the Sanwara barrier on the busy Chandigarh–Shimla National Highway-5. The decision, effective until October 30, comes after the court expressed serious concern over the deteriorating condition of the road and the lack of basic amenities for travelers.

The order was passed by a Division Bench led by Chief Justice Gurmeet Singh Sandhawalia and Justice Ranjan Sharma, during a hearing on a public interest petition. Advocate Ganesh Barowalia, representing the case, shared that the court emphasized that toll cannot be charged when roads are in disrepair and essential facilities are missing.

The court has directed the Deputy Commissioner of Solan to ensure the toll collection is halted and to assist the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) in carrying out necessary repairs. Additionally, the Public Works Department (PWD) has been instructed to improve the stretch from Kaithlighat to Shimla, especially around the industrial zone near Shoghi, which the court described as “particularly alarming.”

The scope of the petition has now expanded to include other toll plazas across Himachal Pradesh. The court has sought responses from NHAI within three weeks, including concerns raised about the Timber Trail barrier, where limited lanes and lack of free access for Himachal-registered vehicles have caused weekend traffic chaos.

Barowalia summed up the court’s stance: “Toll collection cannot go hand-in-hand with public inconvenience and broken infrastructure.”