Latest news with #HSRPs
Time of India
4 days ago
- Automotive
- Time of India
Deadline for HSRP extended to Nov 30: Maha transport chief
Maharashtra govt on Thursday extended the deadline for the fitment of High Security Registration Plates (HSRPs) in vehicles registered before April 2019 to Nov 30. In a circular issued by the state transport department, transport commissioner Vivek Bhimanwar stated that many had yet to get the new number plates fixed on their vehicles. 'In rural areas, there was a delay in setting up and increasing the network of fitment centres. With many vehicle owners having taken appointments, there was a demand to extend the deadline,' the circular read. The govt previously had set Aug 15 as the deadline for HSRPs. The transport department issued its first HSRP circular last Dec, with the deadline getting extended four times. 'There will not be any further extension. However, after November 30, if any vehicle, particularly those operating on highways, is seen with regular number plates, RTOs will confiscate them, and they will be released only after the HSRP is fixed on the vehicle. Also, there could be fines in the future for those who have not taken appointments,' a Pune RTO official said. As per the current data available with the Pune RTO, until August 12, 5.44 lakh vehicles have had HSRPs affixed, while a total of 7 lakh appointments have been taken. However, under the Pune RTO, 25.28 lakh vehicles need HSRPs. Pimpri Chinchwad's regional transport officer, Sandesh Chavan, told TOI that 2.78 lakh vehicles now have HSRPs, with the total number of orders standing at 4.37 lakh. 'The state govt needs to revamp the entire fitment infrastructure immediately and come up with simpler solutions. If the process was easy and the infrastructure strong enough, they wouldn't have to extend the deadline repeatedly. In rural areas, the situation is worse, and no proper solutions are being provided,' Alandi Road resident Prakash Damte said.
Time of India
5 days ago
- Automotive
- Time of India
Deadline for high security registration plate fitments may be extended again
Pune: The deadline for installing High Security Registration Plates (HSRP) in vehicles registered before April 2019 might be extended again, senior state transport officials told TOI on Wednesday, while denying penalty on vehicle owners who haven't installed HSRP yet. The Aug 15 deadline for installing HSRPs, previously declared as final, was preceded by a June 30 deadline. Additional transport commissioner Bharat Kalaskar said, "The deadline for HSRP installation is likely to be extended again. The decision on imposing penalties for non-compliance is still pending." State transport commissioner Vivek Bhimanwar said, "We haven't received any official communication from state govt regarding penalty imposition or deadline extension for HSRP installation. We'll inform the public if we receive any updates." TOI tried to contact state transport minister Pratap Sarnaik on the issue, but his phone was switched off. You Can Also Check: Pune AQI | Weather in Pune | Bank Holidays in Pune | Public Holidays in Pune | Gold Rates Today in Pune | Silver Rates Today in Pune After Aug 15, vehicle owners without HSRPs or any confirmed appointments might face restrictions on availing key RTO services, including ownership changes, registration updates and fitness certificate renewals, officials said. "Vehicle owners who have booked HSRP installation appointments but are waiting for their slot should carry the appointment receipt to access the RTO services," Pune deputy RTO Swapnil Bhosle had told TOI earlier. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Flexible Phone Plans for Small Biz Undo As of Aug 12, Pune RTO reported 5,44,100 HSRP installations and 7,04,505 appointments. "Of 25,28,589 eligible vehicles, only about 21% have installed HSRPs," an RTO official said. Pimpri Chinchwad RTO Sandesh Chavan said 2,78,439 vehicles were fitted with HSRPs, and 4,37,434 orders were received. He, however, didn't disclose the total number of vehicles in their jurisdiction requiring HSRPs. RESIDENTSPEAK I opted for home fitment and the person assigned didn't show up. I then followed up multiple times with HSRP team for almost a month. It was only last month that I finally got the HSRP fitted to my vehicle. If the transport department made the entire process simpler, there was no reason for people to not opt apply for it on time Suhas Pathare | Pool Gate resident The fitment centre I opted for didn't exist, leaving me utterly confused. I then went to the RTO office to clear the issue as the customer care did not help much Milind Vats | Bibvewadi resident & IT professional Given the number of vehicles requiring HSRPs, all vehicle dealers should have been roped in for the fitment. It just shows poor planning Anand Joshi | Camp resident Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and silver prices in your area.
Hindustan Times
6 days ago
- Automotive
- Hindustan Times
Haven't got HSRPs installed? Get ready to face penalty!
PUNE: With only a few days left for the August 15 deadline for high-security registration plate (HSRP) installation in Maharashtra, the state transport department has made it clear that there will be no extension this time. The transport department has warned vehicle owners who fail to install HSRPs within the stipulated time of strict action. Noida, India - December 18, 2020: A mechanic replacing a car's old registration number plate with the high security registration plate (HSRP) at Ace Honda service centre, in Noida Sector 11, India, on Friday, December 18, 2020. (Photo by Sunil Ghosh / Hindustan Times) To go with Shafaque's story According to data from the Pune Regional Transport Office (RTO), a total 774,489 HSRP orders have been placed so far under the MH12 code. Out of these, 698,497 appointments have been scheduled and 540,009 fitments have been completed as of August 11, 2025. As per the information shared by the state transport department, not only will the RTO-related work (ownership transfers, fitness certificates, and other services) of vehicle owners who fail to install HSRPs within the stipulated time be put on hold, they will also be liable to pay an additional penalty. The department has urged citizens to get their HSRPs fitted at the earliest to avoid last-minute rush and legal consequences. The authorities have also indicated that enforcement drives will intensify immediately after the deadline, and vehicles found without the mandatory plates will be penalised on the spot. The HSRPs, designed to enhance vehicle identification and curb theft, are being made compulsory across the state with the final compliance date now rapidly approaching. Swapnil Bhosale, deputy regional transport officer, Pune, said, 'Vehicle owners must ensure that they get their HSRPs fitted before the deadline. Post-deadline, we will not process any RTO-related work for non-compliant vehicles, and penalty action will be taken as per the rules.'
Time of India
31-07-2025
- Automotive
- Time of India
Resolve HSRP issues faced by vehicle owners: Transport dept to dealers
1 2 Nagpur: The Maharashtra transport dept has issued a circular directing all Regional Transport Officers (RTOs) and deputy RTOs to resolve mounting issues faced by vehicle owners in affixing high security registration plates (HSRPs), especially for vehicles registered after April 1, 2019. The move comes following multiple complaints about technical difficulties and lack of cooperation from vehicle dealers. In an official communication on Wednesday, assistant transport commissioner Shailesh Kamat reminded all regional transport offices that, as per rule 50 of Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989, and the Union ministry of road transport and highways notifications, HSRPs are mandatory for all vehicles registered on or after April 1, 2019. The Supreme Court too, in a March 5, 2024 order, made HSRPs compulsory for all vehicles. In reality, many vehicle owners were unable to get HSRPs due to grey areas in the registration and manufacturing timeline. A senior RTO official explained, "Some vehicles were manufactured before April 1, 2019, but registered later. Dealers then deny HSRP installation, claiming the vehicle is not eligible. The confusion escalates when a car changes ownership, state, or class — like from transport to non-transport — leading to record-mismatch. " In addition, issues are also arising with imported vehicles or those whose original number plates are damaged, lost, or stolen. "There's no database support in some cases, and both RTO and dealers bounce responsibilities between each other. Ultimately, it is the customer who suffers," the official said. To address this, the transport dept has asked RTOs to work closely with official vehicle dealers and distributors. Dealers have been instructed to resolve all HSRP-related problems, including those concerning re-fits and replacements. "All these responsibilities — whether due to breakage, theft, or technical mismatch — must be handled by the dealers," the circular states. This directive is expected to bring relief to thousands of vehicle owners caught in procedural limbo and ensure faster compliance with national safety norms.
Hindustan Times
16-07-2025
- Hindustan Times
Masking the law: Gurugram cops use tapes and scratches to dodge e-challans
While Gurugram's traffic police cracks down on everyday commuters for missing or improper number plates, a disturbing trend is unfolding within the law enforcement ranks themselves. Several police officials have been spotted driving vehicles with partially covered number plates – often using tape, paper, or even scratches -- to avoid being caught by the city's network of automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) and red-light violation detection (RLVD) cameras. Bikes with obscured plates at Traffic tower near Galleria Market in Gurugram. (Parveen Kumar/HT) From the Gurugram Police Commissioner's office to the Traffic Tower in Sushant Lok and the Anti-Corruption Bureau office in Sector 47, vehicles parked at these locations routinely display tampered number plates. Over the past several weeks, HT made repeated visits to these premises and consistently found cars and bikes with masked, folded, or scratched plates, rendering them unreadable to surveillance cameras. Even government vehicles, including police patrol two-wheelers, were seen sporting similar modifications. On Tuesday evening, HT spotted two Haryana Police personnel driving a white Maruti Swift with a Rajasthan registration on MG Road. One of the characters on the rear plate was obscured by masking tape and paper. Some number plates were folded at one end, while others had critical digits scratched out, all in what appears to be a deliberate attempt to avoid triggering e-challans. This comes at a time when the Gurugram traffic police is aggressively penalising ordinary citizens for the very same violations. In June alone, Gurugram police issued 22,215 challans for faulty or missing High-Security Registration Plates (HSRP), collecting ₹2.05 crore in fines, official data showed. Of these, 14,761 were penalised specifically for not upgrading to HSRPs—mandatory plates that make vehicles traceable in the cameras. Yet, there is little evidence that similar zeal is being applied within the police department itself. Many officials appear to be using their position to evade detection—ironically, by undermining the very surveillance systems they are tasked with enforcing. Action if caught: DCP Rajesh Kumar Mohan, DCP (Traffic), said the department has issued clear orders to penalise anyone caught engaging in such violations, even cops. 'I've held meetings with zonal traffic officers and instructed them to impose fines and seize vehicles of officials found using obscured registration plates. Such cases must also be reported to higher authorities for departmental proceedings,' he said. Mohan called the practice 'a blatant violation' of the rules. 'HSRPs help us track criminal elements and enforce traffic rules through automatic challans. If the enforcers themselves flout the law, the system breaks down,' he added. The effectiveness of electronic traffic enforcement relies on a network of over 1,200 surveillance cameras across Gurugram, including 300 ANPR and 115 RLVD units. These are installed at key intersections and roads, with 13 locations. Once an offence is captured, the image is processed by an intelligent traffic management system, which reads the number plate. There, the registered vehicle owner's details are pulled from a national database, and an SMS alert is sent with the challan. But the catch is that this system depends entirely on clear, unobstructed views of vehicle number plates. 'Even if a single digit or letter is obscured the system flags the image as a 'broken plate', and the challan process stops,' said a senior Gurugram Metropolitan Development Authority (GMDA) official. Police personnel stationed at the ANPR control room manually screen such images. If a plate is unreadable, the vehicle is excluded from the challan queue. 'Those images are rejected during scrutiny and never make it to the NIC database. As a result, no fine is issued,' the official confirmed. A growing culture of impunity Motorcycles with taped and impartial number plates at Commissionerate building near Sohna Chowk in Gurugram. (Parveen Kumar/HT Photo) Experts working on the city's surveillance network say this method of tampering has grown significantly in the past year. 'Initially, it was limited. But now, we're seeing it almost daily. The troubling part is that police officers are among the worst offenders. They know the system and its loopholes,' said a GMDA contractor associated with the traffic software. He said that enforcement remains largely manual for these cases. 'Unless an officer is stopped on the road and physically checked, they'll get away. And often, being in uniform gives them an easy pass.' What makes this more egregious is that while citizens face steep fines for minor non-compliances – as high as ₹10,000 –those meant to uphold the law appear to be manipulating the very rules they enforce. The absence of disciplinary action or internal accountability mechanisms has emboldened this behaviour, say traffic experts. 'This isn't a loophole, it's a misuse of institutional knowledge,' said an expert on traffic governance.
