Vehicle owners across Maharashtra, including Pune, have been directed to install High-Security Registration Plates (HSRP) on vehicles registered before April 2019. The Maharashtra Transport Department has set a compliance deadline of March 31, 2025, urging vehicle owners to act promptly to avoid penalties. Despite mandatory instructions, approximately 15,000 vehicles have completed the HSRP installation so far, while nearly 25 lakh vehicles are still pending.
Swapnil Bhosale, Assistant Regional Transport Officer, speaking to The Free Press Journal, said, "In Pune, around 40 lakh vehicles are actively plying on the road. Most of them have been issued before 2019. HSRP is compulsory for all vehicles registered before 2019. This will help to identify the number plates easily. Also, it will curb vehicle thefts and bring uniformity in the vehicle's identity marks. Besides, many drivers and defaulters try to escape by altering the vehicle number plate design and other things. This will not be easy to do with HSRP." "We request vehicle owners to apply for HSRP. The form will be submitted online. An employee has been deployed to handle the technical issues being faced while applying online for HSRP," Bhosale added.
What is HSRP?
Made of a rare aluminium alloy, HSRP contains a retro-reflective film with a verification inscription 'India', a chromium-based Ashok Chakra hologram, the hot-stamped letter IND in blue, and a 10-digit laser-branding of a unique serial number, making it tamper-proof.
What are its rates?
The rates for installation of the HSRPs are Rs 450 for two-wheelers and tractors, Rs 500 for three-wheelers, and Rs 745 for four-wheelers (including cars, trucks, buses and other vehicles), excluding GST. The Transport Commissioner's office has appointed three agencies - Rosmerta Safety Systems Ltd (Zone 1), Real Mazon India Ltd (Zone 2), and FTA HSRP Solutions Pvt Ltd (Zone 3), for the task of installing new registration plates. Pune City (MH 12) comes under Zone 1, while Pimpri-Chinchwad (MH 14) comes under Zone 2.
As per the rule, HSRPs are fitted on the front and rear sides of the vehicles along with a third registration mark sticker on the vehicle's windscreen as prescribed in Rule 50 of the Motor Vehicles Act. For new vehicles registered as of April 1, 2019, HSRPs have already been made mandatory, and the responsibility of their fitment is on the manufacturers.
As per the SOPs, vehicle owners will have to book an appointment for HSRP installation at least two days in advance, and the agencies are required to have the HSRP ready by that time. After installation, the agencies will have to update the details of the affixed plates, including the unique laser number (at least 10 digits), vehicle registration number, and photos, through the web-based application.
Action on fancy number plates
In 2024, the Pune RTO took action against 3,038 vehicles having fancy number plates, collecting a total of Rs 20.38 lakh, whereas 657 vehicles were caught with HSRP, generating a revenue of Rs 4.2 lakh.
