Soon, number plates will keep your car safe

The new tamper-proof high security registration plates (HSRP) will make duplication difficult, and act as a deterrent against theft, reports Atul Mathur.

In about four months from now, new vehicles rolling on to the Capital’s roads will have special number plates.

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The new tamper-proof high security registration plates (HSRP) will make duplication difficult, and act as a deterrent against theft.

Beyond proposal

Senior Delhi government officials said a draft proposal has already been prepared.

“We are about to hire a consultant. The consultant will suggest how we can actually implement it,” said a senior Delhi government official not authorised to speak to the media.

The new plates will initially come only with new vehicles. Later, old vehicles will also have to replace conventional number plates with these.

To be fixed onto the vehicle’s body with special snap locks, the new plates will have a special code — unique for each vehicle — embossed on them along with the registration, engine and chassis numbers.

Made of aluminium, each plate will be protected against counterfeiting by the application of a chromium-based hologram.

Any attempt to remove the number plate will break the snap lock, making it impossible to replace by anyone other than the authorised agency.

Introduction of these plates was first mooted about a decade ago. The project, however, was delayed due to lack of preparation at various levels.

The Supreme Court, in its order in May 2009, has also extended the deadline for all states to implement these plates by another three months.