DESPITE multiple deadline extensions and awareness campaigns, the response to mandatory High Security Registration Plate (HSRP) installation remains poor among vehicle owners in Nagpur. The Maharashtra Transport Department, which had extended the deadline from March 31 to April 30, June 30 and now August 15, is now facing an uphill task as a majority of pre-2019 registered vehicles are yet to comply with. According to official data, only 40 per cent of the old vehicles in Nagpurcity have completed the High Security Registration Plate (HSRP) booking process.

 

The Supreme Court has directed that all vehicles registered before April 1, 2019, must be fitted with HSRP under Rule 50 of the Central MotorVehicles Rules, 1989. This initiative, which began across Maharashtra in December 2024 to enhance national security, prevent vehicle theft,identify vehicles on the road and curbvehicle-related crimes According to Regional TransportOfficerKiranBidkar, in Nagpur, there are 8,72,473 vehicles that fallunder thiscategory. Of these, 3,40,499 vehicles, or about 40 per cent, have completed the registration process.

 

However, only 27 per cent of vehicles have actually had the plates installed, so far. A total of 114 centres have been set up in the city with the capacity to install HSRP on 5,645vehicles per day. Despite this, about 60 per cent of vehicle owners have yet to even book an appointment.

 

TheRTO has warned that this delay could extend the overall completion timeline. Bidkar claimed that citizens have reported difficulties in making online appointments andvisitinginstallationcenters. Inresponse, instructions have been given to increase the number of centres ifrequired. RTOBidkar has assured that no action will be taken against vehicle owners who have already booked their HSRP appointments. However, he has urged all remaining owners to complete the process without delay by visiting [https://transport.maharashtra.gov.in] (https://transport.maharashtra.gov.in) and securing their appointment for installation.