Riding the new wave: Golden number plate craze losing its shine, says RTO

Golden numbers is a scheme launched by the RTO that allows customers to avail special number plates in lieu of payment. Express photo

THE CRAZE for ‘golden number plates’ seems to have come down, with the Regional Transport Office (RTO), Pune, claiming that there were fewer takers for the same last year. Figures from the Pune and Pimpri Chichwad RTO shows a decline in the number of takers for the premium numbers worth Rs 4 lakh, Rs 3 lakh and Rs 1.5 lakh in 2015.

Attractive numbers, or golden numbers, is a special scheme launched by the RTO that allows customers to avail special number plates in lieu of payment. The number 0001 which can be availed at a payment of Rs 4 lakhs for four-wheelers and Rs 50,000 for two-wheelers is supposed to be the costliest. The cheapest of such number series can be obtained by payment of Rs 5,000 for four-wheelers and Rs 3,000 for two-wheelers.

The aim behind launching such number scheme was to cash in on the craze for such numbers in Pune and Pimpri Chinchwad. The craze for such numbers RTO officials has noticed was especially high among the nouveau riche of the area. Last year, just 4 vehicles had opted for the costliest number (0001) plate while during 2014, 7 had opted for it in Pune. In Pimpri Chinchwad, only one vehicle had paid for that number last year, while three vehicles had opted for this particular number during 2014. In Pune, the demand for special numbers priced at Rs 3 lakhs, Rs 1.5 lakhs or Rs 1 lakh has also seen a dip in 2015.