Shimla: The Himachal Pradesh government has officially reduced the annual and periodic pass fees for private vehicles accessing sealed and restricted roads in Shimla. This change follows the recent promulgation of the Shimla Road Users and Pedestrians (Public Safety and Convenience) Amendment Ordinance, 2026, which aims to provide financial relief and improved convenience to local vehicle owners navigating the capital city’s transit corridors.
Under the updated provisions, the annual pass fee for private vehicles on sealed roads has been reduced from 15,000 rupees to 8,000 rupees per road. Similarly, the annual fee for restricted roads has been lowered from 5,000 rupees to 3,000 rupees per vehicle. The ordinance also introduces a new, flexible six-month pass option for residents and commuters who do not require year-round access. For this shorter duration, vehicle owners will now pay 4,500 rupees for a six-month pass for each sealed road and 2,000 rupees for each restricted road.
This policy adjustment represents a significant cost reduction, with the annual fee for sealed roads dropping by nearly 47 percent and restricted road fees seeing a 40 percent reduction. Previously, vehicle owners were required to commit to full-year passes regardless of their actual usage needs, whereas the new ordinance offers greater flexibility for seasonal visitors or temporary residents. The state administration maintains these access restrictions to ensure public safety and pedestrian convenience in the congested hill station, and the measure is expected to benefit thousands of residents who rely on daily transit through Shimla’s strictly regulated zones.
