The Maharashtra state transport minister, Pratap Sarnaik, announced on Friday that June 30 will serve as the new deadline for installing high security registration plates (HSRPs) on vehicles registered before April 2019. Vehicles without HSRPs will face a fine of Rs 1,000 starting July 1.
Previously, the deadline for compliance had been set for December 31 last year. However, after reviewing the progress of HSRP installation across the state, the government decided to extend the deadline. Sarnaik emphasized that the new deadline must be adhered to strictly.
HSRPs play a crucial role in curbing vehicle theft, preventing the use of fake number plates, and reducing the misuse of vehicles in criminal activities. In line with guidelines issued by the Union government, HSRPs have been made mandatory for older vehicles in the state. The minister urged all vehicle owners to take advantage of the extended deadline and get their HSRPs installed in a timely manner.
Recent reports from the Times of India highlighted poor compliance with these mandatory norms across the state. Out of approximately 2 crore vehicles in Maharashtra, only 49 percent have installed HSRPs so far. In the Pune Regional Transport Office (RTO) jurisdiction, only 9.26 lakh vehicles out of a total of 25 lakh have complied.
Vehicle owners are required to visit the official website of the transport department (transport.maharashtra.gov.in) to schedule an appointment for HSRP installation. Sarnaik warned that vehicles belonging to owners who fail to install an HSRP within the stipulated deadline or have not scheduled an appointment will be subject to verification through a special road inspection drive commencing July 1. Action will be initiated under the Motor Vehicles Act against violators.
The first notification regarding mandatory HSRPs for old vehicles was issued in December 2024, after which deadlines were extended several times. In a recent conversation, Sarnaik had indicated that the department did not intend to take action against those without HSRPs. However, a review meeting revealed poor compliance, and many people were not taking the requirement seriously. In Pune, for example, only about 11.3 lakh people had taken appointments. A senior department official stated that if people do not schedule appointments on time, HSRPs cannot be installed, making penal action necessary. The official advised people to use the department's website exclusively for bookings and avoid falling victim to agents.
