The beautiful Himalayan state of Himachal Pradesh is home to a number of attractions; Lahaul and Spiti are, of course, some of its most stunning and offbeat regions. Both the regions would stay shut to travellers for almost six months a year during the winter months. Now, with the opening of Atal Tunnel, one can visit both Lahaul and Spiti all around the year.
While Atal Tunnel has made it easy for both the travellers and locals to commute, it has also led to overtourism. Now, in a bid to regulate the same, the authorities have decided to levy taxis on vehicles entering the region. The same would have to paid at Sissu in Lahaul.
Keylong SDM Priya Nagra declared the same, also stating that two wheelers entering the region will have to pay INR 50; those commuting via cars will have to shell out INR 200, while the same would be between INR 300 - 500 for SUVs and MUVs. Bigger vehicles entering Lahaul and Spiti will have to shell out INR 500, this would be largely applicable on buses and taxis.
It has to be noted that vehicles which ply regularly in the region would be exempted from any such tax; such commuters will have to apply for an exemption from the tax. The SDM also stated that the collected tax would be used for development of the region.
