Levy of ‘congestion fee’ sought in Chandigarh on outside commercial vehicles

To ease congestion and reduce pollution levels in the city, a levy of congestion fee on outside commercial vehicles has been sought. In a letter to UT Administrator Gulab Chand Kataria, Advocate Ajay Jagga stated that the Delhi Government was planning to impose traffic congestion tax in the national capital.

In a landmark judgment in 2015, the Supreme Court has virtually approved the levy of a green cess, levied by the National Green Tribunal on trucks passing though the national capital for four months on an experimental basis.

The Municipal Corporations in Delhi plan to charge Rs 700 and Rs 1,300 on two-axle and four-axle trucks entering the city through 127 entry points and it will apply to all trucks except those carrying foodstuff. The imposition of tax will substantially cut down the number of thousands of trucks that enter Delhi, besides reducing the pollution level.

On similar lines, it is suggested that a ‘congestion charge’ or ‘green cress’ be planned in Chandigarh on all commercial vehicles coming from outside so that the increasing traffic congestion can be brought down along with the level of pollution in Chandigarh.

“This will generate income apart from reducing the congestion, saving fuel and environment. The money earned could be spent on maintaining the City Beautiful, which is fast losing its original character, and for providing facilities to tourists,” Jagga said.

He requested that proposal of congestion charge be examined and charges be imposed on trial basis for four months in Chandigarh.