Buldhana penalises 740 vehicles for lacking HSRP, collects Rs 57,000

The transport department has cracked down on vehicle owners in Buldhana district who have not fitted High Security Registration Plates, or HSRP. In a drive that ran from July 1 to August, action was taken against a total of 740 such vehicles across the district, and Rs 57,000 was collected in fines from the vehicle owners concerned.

HSRPs have been made mandatory on all vehicles to prevent tampering with number plates and related fraud, to correctly identify vehicles on the road, and for safety reasons. The administration issued notices to vehicle owners several times asking them to comply, but many did not pay attention, following which the transport department had to resort to enforcement.

A total of 3.4 lakh vehicles are registered in the district, of which 1,90,400 vehicle owners have not yet fitted HSRPs on their vehicles. This has created a major problem for identifying vehicles, ensuring safety and enforcing traffic rules. The district has separate sub-regional transport offices at Khamgaon, covering seven talukas below the ghat, and at Buldhana, covering the remaining six talukas.

Under the Buldhana office, of the 2,90,291 vehicles registered before April 1, 2019, HSRPs have been fitted on 1,27,720 vehicles so far. Under the Khamgaon sub-regional transport office, of the 50,312 registered vehicles, HSRPs have been fitted on only 22,137 vehicles. Vehicle owners who ignored repeated notices will now face penal action.

The central government has made HSRPs mandatory to enhance vehicle security and prevent fake number plates. The special security features, laser code and unique identification number on these plates make it easier to identify a vehicle. The plates are also of considerable help in tracing vehicles involved in accidents, theft or any crime.

Buldhana Sub-Regional Transport Officer Pawan Navhade said HSRPs are mandatory for vehicles registered before April 1, 2019. He said vehicle owners who have not yet fitted HSRPs should do so immediately, and that penal action will be taken against those who do not comply with the rule.