Pune Struggles with HSRP Compliance: Only 3.5 Lakh Out of 25 Lakh Vehicles Fitted So Far
Pune Struggles with HSRP Compliance: Only 3.5 Lakh Out of 25 Lakh Vehicles Fitted So Far
High-Security Registration Plates (HSRP) have been made mandatory for all vehicles registered before April 1, 2019, following an advisory from the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways. However, so far, only 3.5 lakh vehicle owners have installed HSRP out of 25 lakh.
Out of nearly 25 lakh vehicles in the Pune region, only 3,50,571 vehicles have installed HSRP plates as of June 25, across all types of vehicles. Additionally, 4,98,023 vehicles are currently in the queue for appointments, waiting for plate installation.
The low number of completed installations has raised concerns about the lack of fitment centres, technical issues in the appointment system, and overall inefficiency in the RTO process.
“I booked an appointment online three times, but it has not succeeded yet due to technical issues. Additionally, the number of fitment centres is low, leading to a long queue of vehicles,” said Rajesh Kapre, a two-wheeler vehicle owner.
Amol Sharma, a four-wheeler owner, highlighted, “Plates take too long to arrive, but the police are quick to fine us. With time running out and lakhs of vehicles still pending installation, the transport department needs to speed up the process, increase fitment capacity, and resolve appointment issues.”
Swapnil Bhosale, Assistant Regional Transport Officer (ARTO), speaking to The Free Press Journal, said, “The deadline for the installation of HSRP number plates has been extended and is now set for August 15. If a vehicle owner is facing technical issues, they can report it to the RTO help desk. We urge all vehicle owners to install the HSRP number plate. It is mandatory.”
The challenges in HSRP compliance are not just technical but also logistical. The transport department needs to address these issues urgently to ensure that all vehicle owners can comply with the new regulations without facing unnecessary hardships. The extension of the deadline is a positive step, but more needs to be done to streamline the process and provide better support to vehicle owners.
In the meantime, vehicle owners in Pune are advised to keep a close eye on the RTO website for updates and to report any issues they encounter to the help desk. The goal is to make the roads safer and more secure, and HSRP is a crucial step towards achieving this objective.
