Vehicles without high-security number plates to be challaned

Ajay Joshi

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Tribune News Service

Jalandhar, July 28

Come October and the district traffic police will initiate a crackdown on all old and new vehicles running on city roads and highways sans the high-security registration plates (HSRPs). Those found guilty will face a stiff penalty of Rs2,000 to Rs3,000.

As the last date for fixing the high security registration plates is approaching, the state Transport Department in its fresh circular has informed that from October 1, 2020, onwards, vehicle owners without HSRPs would be issued challans under Section 177 of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988.

For the first offence, a penalty of Rs2,000 will be issued and Rs3,000 for subsequent offences. In addition, there is even the possibility of their vehicles being impounded.

While the Transport Department has opened various fitment centres at the district and sub-divisional level for old vehicles, it has been made mandatory for automobile dealers to hand over new vehicles affixed with HSRPs for full compliance to the HSRP initiative.

Arjun Singh, state business head of the Agro Impex India Pvt. Ltd, a private company hired by state Transport Department to issue HSRPs in state, said: “As more number of fitment centres have been opened in the district and the sub-divisional level, a slew of appointments are being attended on a daily basis. At present, there are two fitment centres in the city, one at Lambra (Pratapura) and other at Prince Plaza, in Mithapur. One centre has also been opened in Shahkot and Phillaur sub-divisions each. These would mainly help people in rural areas to equip their vehicles with HSRP.

“Moreover, considering the Covid spread, home fitment facility has also been provided to vehicle owners, so as to avoid any rush and physical contact at the fitment centres. Appointments can be taken after visiting the official website — www.punjabhsrp.in. The price for HSRP for two-wheelers has been kept Rs173, four wheelers Rs513, commercial vehicles Rs548 and three-wheelers Rs249.82,” he said.

Moreover, after opting for the home-fitment facility, the service charges have been kept at Rs100 for two-wheelers and Rs150 for four-wheelers.

Promise security against theft or misuse by terrorists

• Fixing HSRPs have been re-started in the state to avoid vehicle-borne crimes.
• The plates are fastened with non-removable, non-reusable snap lock-fitting system. The front and rear number plates have unique alphanumeric laser identification number, which, upon affixation on the vehicle, gets registered with the central database of VAHAN.
• Moreover, HSRPs have certain security features and these ‘IND’ (short for India) marked plates provide a uniform and standardised manner of display of registration numbers and come with chromium-based hologram to protect them against counterfeiting.
• They promise to provide vehicle-owners with security against theft or misuse by terrorists.