Double Entry Tax and Traffic Jams Frustrate Tourists Visiting Mahabaleshwar

Tourists visiting the popular hill stations of Mahabaleshwar and Panchgani have expressed frustration over being charged double entry taxes and facing severe traffic jams. Many have reported being misinformed about the validity of their entry receipts, adding to their dissatisfaction during the holiday season.

Visitors entering Mahabaleshwar often pass through Panchgani, where they are required to pay an entry tax of ₹187. However, tourists allege that toll staff at Panchgani mislead them into believing that the tax receipt is valid for Mahabaleshwar as well, which is not the case.

Omkar Jadhav, a Pune resident, shared his experience:
“After waiting for nearly 15 minutes, we were charged ₹187 at the Panchgani toll. The staff told us the receipt was valid for Mahabaleshwar too. But upon reaching Mahabaleshwar, we were asked to pay again. The time wasted in arguments and long queues ruined our trip.”

Adding to the woes are long traffic jams, stretching up to 2-3 kilometers near the entry tax points. Many tourists spend significant time waiting in queues, especially during the peak holiday season between Christmas and the first week of January.

Sumit Dulani, a visitor from Ahmednagar, questioned the rationale behind double taxation:
“If my wife and I are heading directly to Mahabaleshwar without stopping at Panchgani, why should we pay taxes for both? The government focuses on collecting revenue but fails to provide quality roads or maintain tourist spots, which are often littered with garbage and gutka stains.”

The double taxation issue and lack of adequate facilities have left many visitors disappointed, calling for authorities to streamline tax systems and improve infrastructure.