The High Security Registration Plate (HSRP) is soon to be mandatory in Maharashtra as the Transport Commissioner’s office has submitted the proposal to the government.
Starting April 2019, the Centre mandated the implementation of high-security number plates for new vehicles nationwide. Subsequently, it became necessary for old vehicles too. However, in Maharashtra, HSRP plates are mandatory only for vehicles registered from 2019 onwards.
HSRP plates were introduced by the Union Ministry of Road Transport in December 2018 to prevent vehicle-related frauds and crimes, wherein number plates are modified or tampered with. These plates will feature security elements such as a 3D hologram, laser-etched numbers, a unique identification code, and snap-on locks. These features will help track stolen bikes through a centralised database.
Authorities can easily identify HSRP number plates using the laser recognition system. They include the engine number, chassis number and a barcode on plates made of aluminium alloy. When scanned by the RTO or traffic police, the barcode provides complete information about the vehicle. These plates cannot be modified, and their size cannot be altered.
Sanjeev Bhor, a Pune RTO officer, said that when the decision is implemented, vehicle owners will need to apply for new special number plates or face a penalty. The tendering process is underway for the law, he added. Currently, states such as Karnataka have enacted the law, imposing fines of Rs 500 to Rs 1,000 on non-compliant vehicles, depending on the vehicle type.
Vivek Bhimanwar, State Transport Commissioner, mentioned that the proposal for implementing the law has been submitted to the government, and a decision is expected soon.
