The tax was allegedly being collected on behalf of the Lonavala Municipal Council through booths set up on the National Highway No. 4 at the hill station, about 60 km from here.

"The pollution tax was being collected illegally, without any government notification. Moreover, they charged Rs.20 per person instead of per vehicle, which is four times the permitted slab of Rs.5 for such a small town," the Shiv Sena leader said.