High security plates stuck in slow lane

Despite SC order, vehicles bought after April 30 ply without special plates; HT reports.

Despite the Supreme Court orders, a large number of new vehicles — cars, two wheelers and commercial — continue to roll out on city roads without the mandatory high security registration plates.

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The Supreme Court has ordered the installation of high security plates that boast of several security features in all vehicles sold after April 30, 2012.

The transport department had even come out with a notification, asking automobile dealers to deliver vehicles sold after October 31 only after installing high security plates. But the orders are not being followed.

"We have a backlog of about 1.10 lakh number plates and it is only increasing with every passing day. We made the plates after receiving the authorisation slips from dealers but the customers never turned up. Despite the transport department's orders, the automobile dealers sell the vehicles with normal number plates," said an official of the company given the contract to fix the high security registration plates.

Over 40,000 new vehicles are sold in Delhi every month.

When a customer buys a new vehicle, the file goes to the zonal transport office for registration. The dealer is supposed to pay the charges of the high security plates at the authorised centre.

The customer is supposed to go on the given date, six days after the money is paid, to get the number plates fixed.

"Where do we keep the vehicle for six days before getting the plates fixed? Do you think the customer will also wait for his new car or bike after making full payment? The Supreme Court never said that the dealers should get the plates fixed," said an automobile dealer and member of Automobile Traders Association of Delhi.

Delhi Transport Minister Ramakant Goswami warned of action."We will start cancelling the registration numbers of vehicles if they do not get the HSRPs fixed. We have called a meeting with all automobile dealers to tell them to get their act together," he said.