Despite multiple deadline extensions and ongoing awareness efforts, a large number of vehicle owners in Nagpur continue to ignore the requirement to install High Security Registration Plates (HSRP), posing a major challenge for the Maharashtra Transport Department.
Originally set for March 31, the deadline was pushed to April 30 and then further extended to June 30. Yet, most vehicles registered before 2019 still haven’t complied with the mandate, leaving the department struggling to enforce the rule.
Official data highlights the poor response to the HSRP rule in Nagpur. Of the 21.32 lakh vehicles registered in the city and district before April 1, 2019, only around 3.2 lakh—just 15%—have installed the high-security plates. In Nagpur Rural, the situation is slightly better, with 1.31 lakh appointments and 76,000 installations completed out of 5.65 lakh vehicles. Overall, compliance remains worryingly low.
The RTO has received 60,876 HSRP appointment bookings, but only 45,819 plates have been installed so far in Nagpur city. The Nagpur East RTO shows a similar trend, with 52,239 appointments but just 38,860 installations completed. “Despite clear instructions and easy access to appointments, many vehicle owners are still not taking the rule seriously,” said an RTO official, expressing concern over the slow progress.
In a strong push for compliance, the Transport Department issued a strict order on June 2. Starting June 16, vehicle owners without valid HSRPs will be barred from key RTO services such as ownership transfers, address changes, duplicate Registration Certificates (RCs), and No Objection Certificates (NOCs). However, those who have already booked appointments for HSRP installation will be exempt from these restrictions.
HSRPs, made from special aluminum and fitted with tamper-proof holograms and laser-etched serial numbers, are meant to improve vehicle security and make tracking easier. However, their rollout has faced several challenges. Many vehicle owners complain about problems with the online booking system, long queues at fitment centers, and reports of overcharging and poor installation by some dealers—despite clear instructions from the Transport Department.
An RTO official stressed that only HSRPs provided by authorized vendors and properly updated on the VAHAN portal will be accepted as valid. Vehicle owners who fail to comply could face a fine of ₹1,000 under Section 177 of the Motor Vehicles Act. Officials have warned that a strict crackdown on violators is “imminent” once the June 16 deadline for denial of services kicks in. With time running out, Nagpur’s vehicle owners are being urged to act quickly or face penalties.
👉 Click here to read the latest Gujarat news on TheLiveAhmedabad.com