Pune MP Murlidhar Mohol Buys Fancy Car Number For Rs 1.5 Lakh
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In a recent auction at Pune’s Regional Transport Office (RTO), representatives of Minister of State for Civil Aviation and Pune MP Murlidhar Mohol successfully bid for the fancy car registration number ‘0909’ for a whopping Rs 1.5 lakh. The base price for this unique number was Rs 70,000, and seven people had competed for it.
According to Pune’s Deputy Regional Transport Officer Swapnil Bhosle, the cost of unique numbers has increased recently, but the demand remains high. “Mohol was not present, but his representatives came and completed all the formalities. It is not necessary that the owner of the vehicle be present. All regulations were followed,” Bhosle said.
The RTO frequently brings out new series of fancy numbers, and people can approach the authority for special or choice registration numbers. In September, the department raised the cost of such numbers, with the registration number ‘0001’ for four-wheelers increasing from Rs 3 lakh to Rs 5 lakh.
Interestingly, the demand for unique registration numbers remains high, despite the increased costs. In 2022, 40,103 vehicle owners bought special registration numbers, which increased to 50,941 in 2023, a spike of around 27%. This year, till December 11, 49,136 people had bought such numbers, and officials expect to cross last year’s figure by year-end.
The state RTO has also launched an online system for booking unique registration numbers, making it easier for interested parties to acquire their desired numbers.
