Owners applying for High Security Registration Plates (HSRP) for older vehicles—especially those purchased or registered before April 2019—have been facing issues during the process. One vehicle owner reported that she had completed the online procedure, filled in all the required details of her old car, and made the payment online.
However, when her driver visited the assigned fitment centre for the installation, he found the centre closed. When the owner later tried to reschedule or reorder the HSRP for her car, the system did not allow it, stating that the HSRP had already been booked. A transport activist pointed out that similar problems might be affecting other motorists, who may be unable to get their new number plates if the designated centres are shut.
When contacted on Thursday, a senior transport department official said that instructions had been issued to all three HSRP agencies operating across the state to remove non-operational or closed fitment centres from the online portal.
In Bhayander, many vehicle owners are not getting HSRP number plates despite booking. Drivers have to wait for a long time at the fitment centre as the plates supplied by the agency do not reach the centres on time. The centre's operators often ask them to come the next day.
"Plates are not available on time at many fitment centres. The chaos is causing inconvenience to thousands of vehicle owners. Therefore, the government needs to pay immediate attention to the proper supply of these plates," said the vehicle owners," staff who install plates.
"We have to wait for a long time for an appointment in Palghar area. So I came to Bhayander from Palghar for HSRP plate. But even after coming here, I was asked to come a day late as the agency did not deliver the HSRP plate to the fitting centre," Vivek Bhimanwar, Transport Commissioner.
"We have to wait for a long time for an appointment in Palghar area. So I came to Bhayander from Palghar for HSRP plate. But even after coming here, I was asked to come a day late as the agency did not deliver the HSRP plate to the fitting centre," said a vehicle owner.
"I live in Virar, but took an appointment in Bhayander. Because it was the only place nearby. There was a 10-day slot available. But when I got to this place, I was asked to call a few hours later or before coming. The reason given was that the numberplates were not being supplied on time by the Rosemarta agency," said Kavita Singh, vehicle owner.