Travelling to Uttarakhand this winter? Green tax from December explained: Who pays, how much, and why

Are you planning to go on a road trip to Uttarakhand? If yes, then you might have to pay a little more this time. The Uttarakhand Government declared a 'Green Tax' that tourists and outstation vehicles would need to pay when they are entering the state.

Uttarakhand will start collecting the new tax from December 2025.

What is green tax?

Green tax, also known as environmental or eco-tax, is a levy imposed on vehicles to reduce pollution and fund environmental conservation efforts.

In Uttarakhand, this tax will be collected from non-local vehicles entering the state, with rates varying based on vehicle type and weight. The funds generated will support pollution control and cleanliness initiatives.

Who has to pay the tax?

Vehicles entering the state from other regions will be subject to a green tax, ranging from ₹80 for small cars to ₹700 for heavy trucks.

Different tax rates have been fixed for various vehicle categories . Rs 80 for small vehicles, Rs 250 for small cargo vehicles, Rs 140 for buses, and between Rs 120 and Rs 700 for trucks, depending on their weight, _PTI _reported.

What is the motive behind the green tax?

The decision has been taken with a view to controlling pollution, protecting the environment, and promoting cleanliness in the state.

Captured vehicle data will be sent to a vendor, which will filter out Uttarakhand-registered, government, and two-wheeler vehicles. The tax amount will then be automatically deducted from the owners’ wallets via the NPCI system and transferred to the state transport department.

Is a green tax the same as a toll?

While tolls are fees charged for using roads to fund their maintenance, green taxes are levies imposed on vehicles to curb pollution, protect the environment, and support cleanliness initiatives.

Which other states levy green tax?

Uttarakhand has become the latest state to introduce a green tax, but unlike other states that focus on older vehicles, its levy applies to all non-local vehicles entering the state.

States such as Maharashtra, Karnataka, Himachal Pradesh, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Jharkhand, Delhi, Tamil Nadu, and Telangana typically impose green taxes on older vehicles to curb pollution.

Uttarakhand’s approach, however, aims to protect the fragile Himalayan environment, reduce pollution, and fund cleanliness initiatives across the state.