The Odisha government has made fixing the high-security registration plates (HSRPs) mandatory for all vehicles registered before April 1, 2019. Vehicle owners have three months before the transport department and police officials start enforcing the rule.
High-security number plates are number plates made of aluminium. They are required to be fixed onto the vehicle using a minimum of two non-reusable snap-on locks.
Odisha Transport Commissioner Arun Bothra issued an order in accordance with Rule 50 of the Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989. He advised fixing the high-security registration plates as soon as possible to avoid the last-minute rush.
If vehicle owners fail to replace the existing number plates with HRPS before the deadlines, e-challans will be issued to charge a fine of Rs 5,000 and Rs 10,000 under Section 192 of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, said the transport commissioner.
As per the order, different deadlines have been set for vehicles as per their registration number. Vehicles carrying an Odisha registration mark and registration number ending with 1 and 2 should affix HSRP by August 31, 2022.
Similarly, September 31, October 31, and November 30 are the deadlines for the vehicles with numbers ending with 3 and 4, 5 and 6, and 7 and 8. Vehicles with numbers ending with 9 and 0 will have time till December 31, 2022.
Legal action will be taken against anyone found to be selling or supplying HSRPs without being authorised by vehicle manufacturers, said the order. All regional transport officers (RTOs) are instructed to comply with the government order and ensure HSRPs are fitted in a seamless manner.