Pune: With just weeks remaining before the June 30 deadline for mandatory High-Security Registration Plate (HSRP) installation, Pune is falling dangerously short of compliance. Out of an estimated 25 lakh vehicles that fall under the directive, more than 22.3 lakh still lack the tamper-resistant plates, sparking alarm among transport officials and frustration among vehicle owners.
The initiative, mandated by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, applies to all vehicles registered before April 1, 2019. Aimed at reducing vehicle theft and ensuring better traceability, the HSRP rollout in Pune has hit multiple roadblocks.
Despite sustained awareness efforts, progress has been sluggish—only around 1.6 to 1.7 lakh vehicles have had the plates installed since the campaign began five months ago.
“This is not optional—it’s a legal obligation,” said a Regional Transport Office (RTO) official who asked not to be named. “Post-deadline, non-compliance will attract penalties.”
Although the Pune RTO introduced an online portal (www.mhhsrp.com) to facilitate booking, users report that the system is frequently down or unable to process appointments.
“The website kept crashing. I couldn’t get a slot, and when I did, it was two weeks out,” said Sheetal Supe, a Pune resident. She eventually had to rely on her vehicle dealer for assistance.
Compounding the problem are overburdened installation centers—many of which are run by private vendors. These facilities are experiencing staff shortages, lengthy queues, and intermittent closures. In some cases, technicians have quit over poor working conditions, further deepening the crisis.
Dealers say they’re overwhelmed and ill-equipped to handle the volume of requests. Rohit Kane, who runs a two-wheeler dealership in Wagholi, said, “We have customers ready to comply, but our hands are tied. The demand far exceeds available manpower and slots.”
Adding to public frustration are complaints of inflated charges. Numerous vehicle owners report paying more than the government-approved rates due to hidden costs and added GST. When compared to other states, Maharashtra’s pricing for HSRPs is notably higher.
Of the 4.2 lakh HSRP bookings received, only 1.6 lakh have been fulfilled, leaving nearly 3 lakh pending.
HSRPs come with modern security features such as laser-etched serial numbers, non-removable locks, and barcodes linked to a centralized database. While these additions are intended to enhance vehicle safety, the overall effectiveness is being compromised by poor execution and mismanagement.
Assistant RTO Officer Swapnil Bhosale stated, “We’ve increased the number of installation centers and extended working hours, but progress remains slow. Vehicle owners shouldn’t wait till the last moment.”
As the deadline draws closer, citizens and transport experts alike are urging the government to fix the underlying issues—technical glitches, staff shortages, and pricing inconsistencies—before imposing fines. There’s growing consensus that enforcing penalties without resolving the infrastructure problems will only lead to further chaos and resentment.
