Widespread confusion over revised entry tax rates, coupled with allegations of overcharging at barriers, brought the Baddi-Barotiwala-Nalagarh (BBN) industrial belt to a grinding halt on Wednesday, as transporters staged protests at multiple points.The agitation intensified at the Balad bridge where operators of tempos, three-wheelers and pick-up vehicles blocked all vehicular movement, alleging that barrier staff were continuing to collect higher charges despite the state government announcing modifications in the levy a day earlier. Protesters claimed there was little clarity on the revised rates, leading to arbitrary collection and disputes at entry points.Hundreds of vehicles were stranded as no entry or exit was allowed from Baddi for several hours. Officials attempted to intervene and explain that certain changes had been introduced in the tax structure, but transporters refused to relent, insisting that the revised rates were neither clearly communicated nor implemented on the ground.Related news: Entry tax row triggers highway blockade at Mehatpur barrierPunjab Congress push among factors that led Himachal to lower entry taxThe fallout was immediate and widespread. Residents faced significant inconvenience as school buses from Kalka, Pinjore and New Chandigarh were delayed amid the gridlock. Several parents had to rush on two-wheelers to pick up their children. Industrial operations were also hit, with factory buses and goods carriers stuck for hours on key routes including the Baddi-Siswan road, Baddi-Pinjore road and internal link roads.Earlier in the day, truckers had launched a similar blockade at inter-state barriers in Nalagarh, including Bagheri and Dheerowal, raising concerns over continued overcharging and lack of uniformity in the implementation of revised rates. The protest was triggered by reports that barrier staff were charging as per the earlier, higher rates despite the government’s announcement of rationalisation. With no exemption for truckers in the revised rates, they demanded implementation of the old rates.Officials of the State Taxes and Excise Department, informed by the toll licensee, sought police assistance to clear the blocked routes. However, truck operators remained firm, alleging that there was a complete disconnect between policy announcements and execution on the ground.Adding to the resentment were complaints from Baddi and Barotiwala barriers where private vehicle owners were allegedly charged Rs 130 instead of the revised Rs 100. Small commercial vehicle operators also demanded clarity and exemption, arguing that inconsistent implementation was leading to harassment and financial burden.Transporters maintained that the issue was not merely the hike but the absence of clear communication and uniform enforcement of the revised rates. They warned that unless overcharging is immediately stopped and the new structure is transparently implemented, protests would intensify further, even as normal life and industrial activity in the region remain severely disrupted.After a series of discussions between the toll lessee and officials, vehicles were allowed to leave Barotiwala around 8:30 pm following hours of impasse. However, traffic remained stalled at Balad Bridge in Baddi, where former MLA Paramjeet Singh demanded the issuance of a notification to relax the entry tax.