Maharashtra to go ahead with tendering for number plates

The Maharashtra government will complete the tendering process for high security registration plates (HSRP) for vehicles by April this year, transport minister Diwakar Raote said in the legislative council on Monday.

The Maharashtra government will complete the tendering process for high security registration plates (HSRP) for vehicles by April this year, transport minister Diwakar Raote said in the legislative council on Monday.

The process has been stuck because the state was waiting for the Central government’s nod. Raote, however, said they will now proceed without the Centre’s inputs.

“We have called for tenders for the high security registration plates and intend to complete the process by April. This is being done according to the guidelines of the Supreme Court,” he said.

The Supreme Court had asked the state to start the tendering process for the number plates, which are likely to help curb vehicle thefts, by June 28 last year. The state had issued tenders, but was waiting for the Centre’s guidelines, as the new Road Transport and Safety Bill was being framed by the Central government

The issue was raised by BJP member Shobhatai Fadnavis, who said there was a huge increase in vehicle thefts, especially in Chandrapur city.

“These thieves replace number plates of trucks, while both the police and the regional transport office (RTO) turn a blind eye to the problem,” she said.