High-security number plates a distant dream

Even as cases of vehicle theft are on the rise, high-security registration plates (HSRP) remain elusive here. Divya Sethi reports.

Even as cases of vehicle theft are on the rise, high-security registration plates (HSRP) remain elusive here.

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The gravity of the situation can be gauged from the fact that the Haryana transport department has not even finalised things despite being penalised by the Supreme Court for the delay in the implementation of HSRP in 2011.

The number plates will help the police keep a tab on cases of vehicle theft, which register a rise of 11-12% every year.

In 2010, nearly 2,331 cases of vehicle theft were registered in the city, while the number rose to 2,595 the following year (till December 10).

In October 2011, the Supreme Court had imposed a fine of Rs 50,000 on the Haryana government for “disobeying” its directions regarding implementation of HSRP for motor vehicles. Though three months have passed, nothing has been done in this regard.

“We are working in this direction. We issued a letter of intent to the company (allotted the tender for the number plates) in November last year. However, the company did not even turn up to complete the formalities,” said Sant Kumar Joshi, state transport commissioner, Haryana.

“We have a high-power committee meeting on January 24 where we will finalise things in the direction,” he added.

Discussing the fine imposed by the Supreme Court, he said, “We were ahead of other states in floating tenders. But after the company backed out, we were left in a fix. Things will be finalised soon.”