A fresh controversy has erupted in Manali over the collection of parking fees from tourists. Punjab-based advocate and RTI activist Kamal Anand has alleged that local authorities are illegally charging parking fees despite a government notification that exempts such charges.
Notification and Allegations
Anand cited a notification issued by the Department of Tourism and Civil Aviation, Himachal Pradesh, on May 29, 2004, following directions from the Himachal Pradesh High Court in a public interest litigation. The notification authorized a one-time tourism development fee for vehicles entering Manali from outside the state, ranging from Rs 100 for two-wheelers to Rs 500 for buses.
Importantly, the notification stated that this fee was a one-time levy valid for a week, and vehicles that paid it would not be subjected to any additional charges, including parking fees, by the government or its authorized agencies. Anand alleges that despite this, tourists continue to be charged separate parking fees at various locations in and around Manali, amounting to double taxation.
Practice of Charging Parking Fees
Anand claims that this practice has persisted for years, placing an unnecessary financial burden on visitors and raising questions about compliance with the original government and court orders. He has sought clarification on the legal basis for collecting parking fees from vehicles that have already paid the green entry tax.
For a few years, parking charges were not collected in public parking lots. However, the Manali Municipal Council later outsourced its parking lots to contractors. Similarly, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has outsourced its parking lots, and authorized contractors are allegedly charging arbitrary and hefty fees.
Concerns Over Green Tax Diversion
Anand has also raised concerns about the utilization of funds collected under the green tax mechanism. He alleged that revenue generated in the name of environmental conservation and tourism management has been diverted towards unauthorized expenditures, including decorative installations and selfie points. Such spending, he claimed, falls outside the objectives for which the tax was originally imposed and may violate the provisions governing the collection and use of the funds.
Context and Reactions
The allegations come at a time when parking infrastructure and traffic congestion remain major challenges in Manali, especially during peak tourist seasons. Several reports have highlighted inadequate parking facilities, growing vehicle pressure, and demands for better traffic management in the hill resort.
Local authorities have consistently maintained that parking fees are essential for maintaining parking infrastructure and regulating vehicle movement. However, Anand has called for a transparent audit of green tax collections and expenditures, as well as a review of the parking fee practice to ensure compliance with existing legal provisions.
The matter is expected to spark fresh debate over tourism management, revenue collection, and accountability in one of Himachal Pradesh’s busiest tourist destinations.
