Special Correspondent
Pune: Vehicle owners in Maharashtra struggling to register for High-Security Registration Plates (HSRP) can breathe a sigh of relief. The state transport department has extended the mandatory HSRP installation deadline by a month, moving it from March 31 to April 30. This decision comes in response to technical issues on the registration website, which had been crashing due to heavy traffic.
Officials stated that the extension aims to streamline the registration process and accommodate the large volume of applicants. To ensure smoother installations, the transport department has divided the state into three zones, each with designated Regional Transport Offices (RTOs) overseeing the process.
New Zone-Based System for HSRP Installation
The following RTOs have been assigned to each zone for systematic HSRP installations:
🔹 Zone 1: Borivali, Thane, Panvel, Kolhapur, Pune, Nanded, Amravati, Washim, Yavatmal, Nagpur (East & West), Ichalkaranji
🔹 Zone 2: Mumbai Central, Mumbai (East), Vasai, Kalyan, Pen (Raigad), Ratnagiri, Malegaon, Nandurbar, Satara, Phaltan, Pimpri-Chinchwad, Solapur, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Vaijapur, Wardha, Nagpur (Rural), Gondia, Gadchiroli
🔹 Zone 3: Mumbai (West), Vashi (Navi Mumbai), Sindhudurg, Ahilyanagar, Nashik, Shrirampur, Dhule, Jalgaon, Bhadgaon, Chalisgaon, Sangli, Karad, Akluj, Baramati, Beed, Jalna, Ambajogai, Latur, Udgir, Dharashiv, Parbhani, Hingoli, Akola, Buldhana, Khambgaon, Bhandara, Chandrapur
The transport department believes this classification will accelerate the installation process and reduce delays.
Many vehicle owners had been struggling to complete their HSRP registration due to website crashes, slow processing, and payment issues. Rajesh Patil, a Pune resident, shared his relief, saying, “I had tried multiple times to apply for my HSRP, but the website kept crashing. Now that the deadline has been extended, I have enough time to complete the process without last-minute stress.”
The newly structured zone-based approach has also received positive feedback, as it is expected to improve efficiency and accessibility for applicants.
HSRPs have been made mandatory by the government to prevent vehicle-related crimes and enhance security measures. These plates feature tamper-proof elements, including a chromium-based hologram, a unique laser-etched identification code, and a snap lock to prevent unauthorized removal or counterfeiting.
Authorities have urged vehicle owners to apply for HSRPs through the official government portal transport.gov.in to avoid fraudulent activities. Officials have also warned that non-compliance beyond the revised deadline may lead to penalties.
With the new deadline set for April 30, vehicle owners are advised to complete the process at the earliest to avoid any last-minute rush. The transport department has assured that adequate arrangements have been made at various RTOs to facilitate smooth installations.
