Tourists entering Lahaul and Spiti to pay extra entry tax

Lahaul : The tourists coming to Lahaul and Spiti will now have to shell out extra money to enter the district, said an official.

A barrier to collect tax has been set up at Sissu in Lahaul near Rohtang's Atal Tunnel by the Special Area Development Authority (SADA), Keylong SDM Priya Nagra said.

Two-wheelers entering the district will have to pay a tax of Rs 50, cars will have to pay Rs 200 and SUVs will have to shell out Rs 300. MUVs and buses will be charged Rs 500 per entry.

The decision has been taken after the movement of vehicles increased manifolds after the opening of Atal Tunnel in October last year.

The tunnel was inaugurated on October 3 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

She explained that the tax money collected from the new arrangement will be used in the development of the nearby areas.

The vehicles entering Lahaul on regular basis will not have to pay tax and have to apply for exemption, she said.