Massive Compliance Gap: Pune Faces HSRP Deadline Crunch As 16 Lakh Vehicles Still Non-Compliant
Massive Compliance Gap: Pune Faces HSRP Deadline Crunch As 16 Lakh Vehicles Still Non-Compliant
With December 31 as the last date, transport officials warn of strict action as most vehicle owners continue to delay installation of high-security number plates.
With just days left before the December 31 deadline, Pune is staring at a massive compliance gap on High Security Registration Plates (HSRP). Official data shows that nearly 16 lakh vehicles in the city are still without HSRP, despite repeated extensions and sustained awareness drives by the transport department.
According to officials, Pune has more than 26 lakh vehicles that are required to install high-security number plates as per court orders. So far, only around 10 lakh vehicle owners have registered for HSRP. Of these, approximately 8 lakh vehicles have actually been fitted with the plates, leaving a large number either unregistered or pending installation.
The deadline for installing HSRP on vehicles registered before April 1, 2019 ends on December 31. From January 2025 onwards, enforcement action is expected to begin. Officials have repeatedly warned that vehicles without HSRP may face penalties, fines, or other legal action.
Despite five deadline extensions granted earlier, compliance remains low. Transport officials noted that only about 50,000 vehicle owners registered in December, highlighting continued apathy even as the cutoff date approaches.
HSRP plates are mandatory following High Court directions, aimed at improving vehicle traceability in cases of accidents, thefts, and criminal investigations. The plates come with tamper-proof features and unique identification numbers that allow quicker tracking of vehicles involved in offences.
Transport department officials said lack of fitment centres was initially cited as a concern, but capacity has since been increased following RTO instructions. “Fitment centres have been augmented to handle higher volumes, yet citizens continue to delay the process,” an official said.
At present, officials estimate that nearly 65 per cent of eligible vehicles in Pune are still without HSRP, making enforcement a significant challenge if compliance does not improve rapidly.
Given the scale of non-compliance, officials admitted that another extension may be considered, though no formal decision has been announced yet. However, they cautioned that repeated delays defeat the purpose of the policy and undermine road safety and law enforcement efforts.
Authorities have urged vehicle owners to complete registration and installation at the earliest to avoid last-minute rush and possible penalties once enforcement begins.
