High security number plates for all vehicles in state soon

AHMEDABAD: Change is on the cards for the number plates on your vehicles. Very soon the state government will launch a project to have high security registration (HSR) plates for the nearly 1 crore vehicles in the state. The state transport department has shortlisted agencies and is in the process of finalizing the agency to install these.

The process to have the HSR plates was initiated by the state government after the Supreme Court took strong exception to the delay in implementing HSR plates and licenses for vehicles.

Officials in the transport department said soon after this apex court took objection, the state transport department immediately issued tenders to have an agency for HSR plates. Officials said the new plates have a lock, hologram and unique number to prevent duplication and even tampering of such registration number plates.

Officials said as per the guidelines of Union Ministry of Road Transport, the state transport department has started establishing a technical network for the project. Tenders have been invited for the project, which will be implemented on 'Build, Own and Operate' basis.

State Transport Commissioner J P Gupta, said that the department is scrutinising proposals and the project will soon be allotted to the shortlisted agency. He said after implementation of this project, all new and old vehicles will have to install HSR plates. He said the government will appoint authorised vendors at all the Regional Transport Offices from where vehicle owners can get HSR plates.

He said that states where the project has begun have priced HSR plates at Rs 300-800. "But with the volume of vehicles high in the state, the cost here will be cheaper as compared to other states," said the commissioner.

Transport commissioner J P Gupta said that the Union Ministry is also actively considering a proposal for Uniform National registration number. In the present scenario if a person moves from one state to another, he has to get the registration number of the particular state, but with this the registration would also be valid across the country. He, however, said that he does not know as to when it would be finally implemented.