Bengaluru: Lakhs of vehicles registered in Karnataka before April 1, 2019, may get an additional two-month extension to affix High-Security Registration Plates (HSRPs), according to Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy. The Transport Department is currently seeking legal advice from the Advocate General before making a final decision on the matter.
A conclusive announcement is expected on Thursday, Reddy told Deccan Herald. The High Court of Karnataka has also adjourned the hearing on related petitions filed by the HSRP Manufacturers’ Association of India and others until November 20, adding to the uncertainty over the deadline.
Petition Challenges OEM Mandate
The current petitions challenge the department’s mandate, which requires vehicle owners to have their HSRPs affixed exclusively through Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) and their authorised dealers. Petitioners argue that all licensed number plate manufacturers who possess Type Approval Certificates (TACs) should be allowed to provide HSRP services. This, they believe, will give vehicle owners more options and reduce monopolistic practices.
Minister Reddy has defended the state government’s position, stating that Karnataka is following the union government’s guidelines. He noted that vehicle owners are allowed to choose from any of the 14 companies authorised to affix HSRPs in the state, providing flexibility while ensuring compliance with the law.
Transport Commissioner’s Position
Yogeesh A M, Commissioner for Transport and Road Safety, declined to comment on the possibility of extending the deadline, stating that a final decision has not yet been made. However, the department is considering the extension due to the large number of vehicles yet to comply with the mandate.
Compliance and Extensions
The process of affixing HSRPs for old vehicles began on August 18, 2023, following a notification from the department that set a three-month deadline. This deadline has already been extended four times, with the latest deadline set for September 15, 2024.
Of the 2 crore vehicles that are required to affix HSRPs, just over 50 lakh have complied so far. Vehicles registered after April 1, 2019, automatically receive HSRPs as part of the registration process. The slow pace of compliance is prompting the department to consider another extension.
No Immediate Action Against Defaulters
While the Transport Department initially warned that vehicles without HSRPs would face fines, it later informed the court that it would not take any “precipitative action” against defaulters until the legal challenges are resolved.
What is an HSRP?
A High-Security Registration Plate (HSRP) is an aluminium number plate designed to enhance security and reduce vehicle-related crimes. It includes a hot-stamped chromium-based hologram featuring the Ashoka Chakra and a laser-engraved 12-digit alphanumeric permanent identification number. These details are linked to the vehicle’s information on the Vahan portal, which centralises vehicle registration data.
HSRPs are affixed to the front and rear of the vehicle using two snap rivets that cannot be removed or reused, making them tamper-proof. The primary objective of this initiative is to prevent the counterfeiting of number plates, enhance vehicle identification, and curb crimes such as vehicle theft and tampering with registration numbers.
Aims of HSRP Implementation
The mandatory implementation of HSRPs is aimed at improving law enforcement’s ability to identify vehicles, reducing vehicle-borne crimes, and preventing the tampering of number plates. The introduction of HSRPs also addresses issues like counterfeit plates, which are commonly used for illegal activities, and helps in the long-term digital tracking of vehicles.