Special Correspondent
Pune : Despite a looming June 30 deadline, thousands of Pune residents are still waiting to get High-Security Registration Plates (HSRPs) for their vehicles, citing slow service, limited slots, and inadequate infrastructure as major roadblocks.
As of April 30, out of nearly 25 lakh registered vehicles in Pune district, only 1.4 lakh have successfully had HSRPs installed, with 2.7 lakh appointments booked. This translates to barely 5% compliance, triggering concerns of a last-minute rush that could lead to even more chaos.
Currently, the city has only 125 authorised HSRP centres, which many feel is grossly insufficient for a city of Pune’s size. Citizens complain of long queues, cancelled appointments, and a lack of information, especially for working professionals and elderly vehicle owners.
Transport officials agree that the pace is sluggish. “We are aware of the difficulties citizens are facing,” said Swapnil Bhosale, Deputy Regional Transport Officer. “We’ve extended the deadline to June 30 and are coordinating with vendors to increase capacity. More centres are being proposed.”
Experts warn that if the current pace continues, it could take nearly a year to complete the installations. “The infrastructure needs to catch up with the demand,” said one transport analyst. “Otherwise, people will be unfairly penalised due to no fault of their own.”
Authorities continue to urge citizens to book appointments early, but for many, that advice rings hollow without a parallel increase in slots and service centres.
With just two months to go, Pune’s vehicle owners are left juggling time, travel, and uncertainty—hoping that the system speeds up before the penalties kick in.
