Pune Struggles to Meet HSRP Target: Only 30% Vehicles Compliant Despite Five Extended Deadlines
Pune Struggles to Meet HSRP Target: Only 30% Vehicles Compliant Despite Five Extended Deadlines
Mounting deadlines and repeated reminders seem to have done little to push Pune’s vehicle owners toward compliance with the High Security Registration Plate (HSRP) mandate. With the latest deadline of November 30 just around the corner, only 30% of vehicles under the Pune Regional Transport Office (RTO) have been fitted with the new tamper-proof number plates.
According to official figures, only 7,25,678 vehicles out of 24,28,589 that fall under the HSRP requirement have completed installation. The compliance rate has barely improved from 28% recorded in September, despite the campaign running since December 2024. The remaining gap indicates that a vast number of vehicles are still non-compliant.
Data from the RTO also reveals that around 9.14 lakh vehicle owners have booked appointments for HSRP fitting, which could push the numbers up if all these appointments are honored. However, officials pointed out a recurring issue — many vehicle owners fail to show up at their scheduled time slots, causing long queues and unnecessary delays at installation centers.
The HSRP initiative was introduced to strengthen road safety and deter vehicle theft through laser-encoded, tamper-proof registration plates. As per government regulations, all vehicles registered before April 1, 2019, are required to install HSRPs to ensure nationwide standardization and traceability.
Originally, the compliance deadline was March 30, 2025, but it has been pushed forward five times — first to April 30, then June 30, followed by August 15, and now November 30. Officials have hinted that this may be the final extension.
“We have provided vehicle owners with more than enough time to complete the process. There’s no certainty of another extension, so people shouldn’t assume they’ll get one,” said a senior RTO officer.
If the November deadline remains firm, Pune’s transport department is preparing for strict enforcement beginning December. Motorists who fail to install HSRPs or at least book an appointment before the deadline could face fines of up to ₹1,000, as per transport rules. However, officials clarified that individuals who have booked a valid appointment before the cutoff date will be exempt from penalties until their plates are fitted.
Adding to the challenge, authorities have noticed an alarming rise in fake or imitation HSRPs being sold by local vendors. These counterfeit plates lack the official laser code and security hologram, completely defeating the purpose of the initiative. The RTO has warned that a crackdown on such illegal sales will intensify once the final deadline passes.
Despite awareness drives and continuous alerts, many Pune motorists continue to show indifference. One resident from Kondhwa casually remarked, “I’ll get it done when I see stricter checks. If needed, I might just buy one from a local shop.” Officials worry that this complacent attitude could derail the enforcement campaign unless stringent penalties are imposed.
As of now, RTO data indicates that while 7.25 lakh vehicles have received their plates, another 9.31 lakh owners have registered for HSRPs but are awaiting delivery. That still leaves 17.02 lakh vehicles on the roads without the mandatory plates. Authorities attribute the sluggish progress to a combination of poor public response, technical glitches during online registration, delivery delays, and extra service fees being charged by certain operators.
Deputy Regional Transport Officer Swapnil Bhosale emphasized that patience has run out:
“Vehicle owners have already been given multiple opportunities, yet compliance remains poor. If the November 30 deadline is ignored again, we’ll have no choice but to take strict action against defaulters.”
The High Security Registration Plate is designed with several advanced safety features, including a chromium hologram, unique laser-etched code, and tamper-proof snap locks, which make it nearly impossible to replace or forge. These plates play a crucial role in tracking stolen vehicles and ensuring accountability on the roads.
