THE poor quality of High Security Registration Plates (HSRP) has become a matter of concern for vehicle owners across the city as they are raising c o m p l a i n t s about the deteriorating quality of ‘newly installed’ number plates, alleging that several plates are fading, peeling off, or getting damaged within months of installation. Motorists say the issue has surfaced within a few months of fitting, with many claiming thatthe plates are failing to withstandeven normal weather and usageconditions.The complaints rangefrom damage, loss of reflectivity to cracks near the mountingpoints, making registration numbers difficult to read. One of the complainants, Shriram Joshi, a resident of Dhantoli said,“My vehicle’s HSRPnumber plate fell off within justone month sinceit was fitted at acentre inD h a r a m p e t h . The fitter hadeven charged mean extra 150 Rupees for ‘stronger’ fitments.

 

Who should I hold accountable for this?” “I noticed the letters starting to fade within six months. We paid the required fee expecting durability, but the plate already looks worn out,” said Rahul Sharma, a two-wheeler owner from Manewada. Another resident from Civil Lines, Priya Nayyar, said the reflective coating on her car’s plate began peeling recently. “If the plate becomes unreadable, we risk fines even though the fault is not ours,” she added. These grievances come in the wake of The Hitavada’s earlier report “Cold response to HSRP in city as 50% vehicles still not registered” published on February 12, highlighting cold response to HSRP, after which citizens shared their experiences, suggesting the problem may be more widespread than initially believed. The readers have also submitted photographs indicating the damage.

 

When contacted, Kiran Bidkar, Regional Transport Officer (RTO), Nagpur City said that the RTO would look into the matter upon receiving formal complaints. He also informed that citizens can file their greivances directly on the official website of city’s Regional Traffic Office (RTO) -- [email protected]. “If vehicle owners submit details, we will verify the cases and take necessary action as per norms,” he stated. He explained that the action will be limited to fitters who leach extra money for fitting the plates in the name of ‘fitting charges’.

 

To the motorists’ dismay, the accessories that the fitters offer as strengthening fitments won’t be covered in the action, as explained by Amir Hussain of Rosemerta Nagpur. Rosemerta Technologies is the leading HSRP manufacturer in India. Citizens are now urging authorities to conduct a quality check of authorised vendors and provide replacement of defective plates without additional charges, stressing that compliance should not become a financial burden due to sub-standard materials. Interestingly, automobile experts noted that certified HSRP plates are designed to last for years, and such early damage could point to lapses in manufacturing standards, material quality, or installation practices.