Himachal High Court Halts Toll at Sanwara Amid Highway Woes
In a welcome move for thousands of daily commuters, toll collection at the Sanwara toll plaza on the Kalka-Shimla National Highway 5 has been suspended, thanks to a directive from the Himachal Pradesh High Court. On Saturday, toll barriers were taken down, allowing vehicles to pass freely — a moment many drivers have long awaited.
The court’s decision stems from growing frustration over the poor condition of the highway, especially the stretch from Parwanoo to Solan. Despite collecting tolls since 2021 from over 12,000 vehicles daily, the road has seen little to no maintenance. One glaring example is the Chakkimor section, which has remained unrepaired for two years. During monsoons, the situation worsens, with cracked hillsides and dangerous driving conditions leaving commuters anxious every time they hit the road.
Responding to a public interest petition, the High Court ordered toll collection to be paused until October 30, 2025, and instructed the National Highway Authority to urgently fix the road. This isn’t the first time tolls have been suspended — back in 2023, heavy rains led to a complete collapse at Chakkimor, prompting the Deputy Commissioner to take similar action after local Panchayat leaders raised concerns.
The removal of toll barriers has been met with widespread public approval. For years, drivers have questioned why they were paying hefty tolls while navigating a crumbling highway. Now, with the court stepping in, attention turns to the National Highway Authority to deliver on its promise and restore safe, reliable travel for everyone.
