Click here to join Express Pune WhatsApp channel and get a curated list of our stories
© The Indian Express Pvt Ltd
Journalism of Courage
Premium
This is an archive article published on February 5, 2025
Over 60 pc vehicles plying without high-security number plates: RTO
As per the available data, the RTO has nearly 40 lakh registered vehicles, of which 25 lakhs were purchased before 2019.
As per the available data, the RTO has nearly 40 lakh registered vehicles, of which 25 lakhs were purchased before 2019. (Express file photo)
Over 60 percent of vehicles in the city are plying on roads without affixing the High-Security Registration Plate (HSRP), which was mandated by the state government last December, the Pune RTO has said. The RTO has set a deadline of March 31, after which vehicle owners failing to comply with the new rule will face penalties.
As per the available data, the RTO has nearly 40 lakh registered vehicles, of which 25 lakhs were purchased before 2019. Since December, only 15,000 of these 25 lakh vehicles have complied with the government’s directive to affix HSRP plates. The RTO after the deadline, along with other enforcement agencies, will start taking action against vehicle owners who are yet to install the new plates.
HSRP plates were introduced by the Union Ministry of Road Transport in December 2018 to prevent vehicle-related fraud and crimes involving tampered or modified number plates.
In April 2019, the Ministry mandated that all vehicles registered before 2019 must replace their existing number plates with advanced HSRP plates. Vehicles registered post-2019 already come equipped with these plates.
However, until last year, Maharashtra was an exception, as vehicle owners with pre-2019 vehicles were not required to install HSRP plates. In December 2024, the state adopted the Central rule and set a March 31, 2025 deadline for compliance.
According to Assistant Regional Transport Officer (ARTO) Vinayak Sakhare, the proposal to make HSRP mandatory for all vehicles in Pune was approved months ago by the state government. “The notification was issued last December, and we have been instructed to take action against those who do not comply,” he said.
In an interview with The Indian Express last February, Transport Commissioner Vivek Bhimanwar mentioned that the proposal had already been forwarded to the government for approval.
Story continues below this ad
What is an HSRP Plate?
HSRP plates are made of aluminium alloy and feature a retro-reflective film with “IND” (India) inscribed on them. They include several security features, such as a 3D hologram of the Ashok Chakra, a 10-digit laser-etched number, a unique identification code, and snap-on locks that prevent tampering. These features help the RTO and police find stolen vehicles. HSRP plates cannot be modified, nor can their size be altered.
How to apply for an HSRP Plate?
Vehicle owners must register on the official HSRP website by providing their phone number, vehicle number, engine number, and chassis number. After registration, they can select an authorized installer from the list of 30-40 installation centres across the city, make the payment, and visit the location for installation, Sakhare added.
Cost of HSRP installation:
The installation rates for HSRP plates are Rs 450 for two-wheelers and tractors, Rs 500 for three-wheelers, and Rs 745 for four-wheelers, including cars, trucks, and buses (excluding GST).
Click here to join Express Pune WhatsApp channel and get a curated list of our stories
Advertisement
Loading Recommendations...
Advertisement