In an effort towards easing public attitude towards the soon to be launched tamper proof High Security Registration (HSRP) number plates, the Transport department New Delhi has provisioned to put the running status of the HSRP license plates on its website, so the car owners can check the status of their new license plates online and no longer have to come all over to the Regional Transport Offices (RTO) just to check their HSRP status.
The Transport department has started accepting requests from vehicle owners for the switch to HSRP from the normal license plates. The HSRP license plates are currently installed only on government owned vehicles and also on new privately owned vehicles. Also, the people with old vehicles can get the new sophisticated HSRP license plates by paying some amount to the Motor Licensing Officer.
Drawing off curtains on the new development, a senior Transport official said, “Vehicle owners, who have made payments, will have to go to Transport department’s website and click on a link to check the status of their HSRP. After they fill in the license plate details, information related to whether their plate is ready or not will be displayed. The website will provide them with exact details of when the HSRP will be ready, the address, contact information and timings of the centre where they will have to get their plate affixed”.
The official further added, “The problem is that many people have not come forward to get their plates affixed as there is no deadline for installation of HSRP. We have started the process for government vehicles and hope to start installing these plates on all vehicles from September 15”.
Speaking on the current vehicle owners, the official commented, “We are accepting requests from owners of old vehicles who want the HSRPs installed. They have to go to the Motor Licensing Officer (MLO) at RTOs and pay for HSRP. The MLO will issue an authorisation slip, a copy of which will be sent to the HSRP centre”.
The HSRP licence plates are laced with cutting-edge technologies like a patented chromium unique hologram, all new laser numbering containing the alpha-numeric identification of both the testing agency and manufacturers along with a retro-reflective film bearing a verification inscription 'India' at a 45-degree inclination. For ensuring clear visibility, all the characters are embossed on the plate.
The HSRP license plates are government's solution to the check the ever increasing problems of vehicle thefts, illegal smuggling between different states, resale of stolen cars, and keeping a consolidated database of all the vehicles in India. However, due to lack of proper execution of the project, a very dull and tepid interest has been shown by several state governments and the public.
The HSRP license plates have been successfully conformed by only three Indian states - Meghalaya, Sikkim and Goa. The states of Tripura, Karnataka, Maharashtra and Kerala have not taken any step further apart from calling out tenders. Besides these states none of the other Indian states have taken any step whatsoever to implement the new scheme.
