Mumbai: The Maharashtra State Transport Commissioner’s office has announced that applications for High-Security Registration Plates (HSRP) for old vehicles have crossed the *1-lakh mark* across the state. Of these, nearly *50,000 vehicles* registered before April 2019 have already been fitted with the new tamper-proof number plates.
In Mumbai, there has been a significant surge in vehicle owners seeking to replace their old registration plates. With an estimated *1.5 crore vehicles* requiring new plates across Maharashtra, Mumbai alone is expected to account for around *20 lakh* replacements in the coming weeks.
Online Process for HSRP Installation
The transport department has ensured that the entire system is 100% online to maintain transparency and efficiency. A senior official from the department explained, *”Payments for fitment of HSRP are completely online, and no cash is accepted. After registering with the chassis and engine number, applicants can select a fitment center near their residence from a drop-down list.”
Many vehicle owners have found the process convenient. Rohini Mhatre, a scooter owner, shared her experience,*saying, “It was a smooth process. I visited the online Vahan portal, entered a few vehicle details, and selected a nearby fitment center in the western suburbs. Once I took my vehicle there, the new HSRP was installed quickly.”
However, some applicants have faced difficulties in the registration process. Common complaints include error messages such as “Vehicle Not Found” or system glitches. An *RTO official clarified* that these issues often arise due to:
– *Outdated mobile numbers* linked to vehicle records
– *Incorrect chassis number entry* (especially alphanumeric characters like ‘*’ or letters in the last five digits)
“If applicants ensure that all details are accurate, the system processes the request smoothly,” the official added.
Revenue and Deadline for HSRP Replacement
The transport department has already collected over *Rs 2 crore* in revenue from HSRP installations across three zones in Maharashtra. The department has issued a public notification urging vehicle owners to replace old number plates at the earliest, with the deadline for booking appointments currently set at March 31.
Vehicle owners are advised to complete the process well before the deadline to avoid last-minute rush and possible penalties.
Surjitt Sahani
