High security number plates for new vehicles is set to be introduced in Punjab by March 15. Owners of old vehicles,on the other hand,will get a year to change to such number plates. According to sources in the transportation department,the government had some time ago allotted a tender in this regard to private firm Agros Impact India Limited. The company is currently in the process of setting up its facilities at district transport offices. While for a tractor,the rate of a high security number plate will be Rs 100,for a two-wheeler,it will be Rs 150,four-wheeler Rs 295 and for heavy vehicles (trucks and buses),the price has been fixed at Rs 395. These number plates will be affixed to the vehicles bumper or body. A hologram will also be pasted on the front wind screen,which will carry details of the vehicle registration,engine and chassis numbers. In case one tries to remove the sticker,it will self destruct. The project is being implemented on a build,own and operate (BOO) basis. The plates can only be affixed in the premises of the registering authority or any other place authorised by it. The plates will have to be affixed to the vehicles within four working days of the receipt of authorisation from the registering authority. Individual stations in or around the existing registering authority is also being opened to ensure easy availability of the plates. Five such stations is set to come up in Amritsar,Jalandhar,Ludhiana,Patiala and Bathinda. Before March 31,the high security number plates project will be implemented in the state. The tender has been allotted and we are monitoring the projects progress on daily basis, said State Transport Commissioner Harjit Singh.
