Uttarakhand to impose green tax on out-of-state vehicles from December 2025 — Here’s what you need to know

Uttarakhand takes a tech-driven step towards cleaner, greener travel with its new automated Green Tax on out-of-state vehicles, starting December 2025. (Image: Canva)

In a landmark move to safeguard its fragile Himalayan ecosystem, Uttarakhand will introduce a Green Tax on all vehicles entering the state from outside, starting December 1, 2025. The initiative is part of the state’s broader plan to curb pollution, promote sustainable tourism, and maintain the natural beauty of its popular hill destinations such as Dehradun, Mussoorie, Nainital, and Rishikesh.

A Technology-Driven Step Towards Sustainable Tourism

What sets this initiative apart is its focus on technology and transparency. The Uttarakhand government will implement a fully automated digital tax collection system powered by Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras. Installed at 37 border entry points, these cameras will automatically capture the registration numbers of vehicles entering the state, process the data, and facilitate the tax deduction — without any need for manual toll booths.

This makes Uttarakhand one of the first states in India to adopt a technology-driven green levy system, ensuring efficiency, real-time monitoring, and minimal human interference in tax collection.

Green Tax Slabs: What Vehicle Owners Will Pay

The Green Tax amount will depend on the vehicle type and size:

• Rs 80 for small private vehicles
• Rs 250 for small cargo vehicles
• Rs 140 for buses
• Rs 120 to Rs 700 for trucks, depending on their weight

1. The Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras capture the vehicle’s registration number at the state border.

2. The captured data is sent to a vendor system authorized by the State Transport Department.

3. The vendor system cross-verifies the registration details with the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) database to identify the vehicle owner’s registered digital wallet.

4. Once verified, the applicable green tax is automatically deducted from the wallet.

5. The deducted amount is then credited directly to the Uttarakhand Transport Department’s account in real time.

Transparent, Efficient, and Tamper-Proof

According to State Additional Transport Commissioner Sanat Kumar Singh, the department has expanded its ANPR network from 16 to 37 cameras to ensure complete border coverage. The system will automatically filter out exempted vehicles—including those registered in Uttarakhand, government vehicles, and two-wheelers—before processing the tax.

By eliminating manual toll booths and switching to digital real-time tax collection, the new system aims to reduce delays, congestion, and revenue leakages, while promoting cleaner and smoother travel for tourists and commercial operators alike.

Why the Green Tax Matters

Uttarakhand’s hill regions have witnessed a sharp rise in tourism and vehicle traffic in recent years, leading to growing concerns about pollution and environmental degradation. The Green Tax is designed to encourage responsible travel and ensure that visitors contribute to the preservation of the state’s ecological balance.

With this bold move, Uttarakhand is setting a benchmark for other Indian states, proving that technology and sustainability can go hand in hand. The initiative reflects the state’s commitment to protecting its environment while welcoming travelers in a more responsible and eco-conscious manner.