Bhopal resident bids Rs 2.5 lakh for '0001' car registration plate

A new Tata Nano can be purchased for well under Rs 2.5 lakh. Surprisingly, that's the amount a Bhopal resident was willing to pay for a 'VIP' number (MP04CN0001) just for the registration plate of his car.

A brand new Tata Nano can be purchased for well under Rs 2.5 lakh. Surprisingly, that's the amount a Bhopal resident was willing to pay for a 'VIP' number (MP04CN0001) just for the registration plate of his car on Monday.

Monday was the last day for online auction of VIP registration numbers for this week’s number series. The bidding reached Rs 2.5 lakh '0001' of the series 'MP04CN' till the filing of this report. The pay-for-your-number plan is expected to add a hefty amount of money to the state exchequer.

The 'fancy' registration numbers were in demand as identifying them was simple, according to Bhopal regional transport officer Ajay Gupta.

"As the demand (for the numbers) is high, they are pooled for auction so that people bid for numbers of their choice in the auction conducted on our website. This website sets a transparent medium which opens a way to explore our valuable services to the citizens," he said.