Pune RTO Warns Against Fake HSRP Number Plates, Urges Vehicle Owners to Stay Alert
Beware! Fake HSRP Website Dupes Vehicle Owners, Complaint Filed With Cyber Police Complaint Filed In Pune
Pune: The Pune Regional Transport Office (RTO) has issued a warning to vehicle owners about unauthorized vendors selling fake high-security registration plates (HSRPs). These counterfeit plates do not comply with government-mandated security standards, putting vehicle owners at risk of legal action. The RTO has assured strict action against such sellers and urged citizens to obtain HSRPs only from authorized centers.
HSRP Deadline Approaching for Old Vehicles
As per government regulations, all vehicles registered before April 2019 must be equipped with HSRP plates by April 30. In Pune district alone, over 2.5 million vehicles still require this update.
With the compliance deadline approaching, reports indicate a rise in unauthorized vendors offering fake HSRP plates at lower prices, misleading vehicle owners into purchasing non-compliant plates.
Fake Plates Sold in Several Pune Areas
According to TOI reports, unauthorized sellers in Ghorpade Peth, Ambegaon, Malwadi, and Pune-Satara Road are offering counterfeit plates at reduced prices. A vendor in Ghorpade Peth was quoted saying, “Aaram se bann jayega (It will be made easily),” offering plates for ₹600 for bikes and ₹800 for cars without requiring any documentation.
Another seller admitted that the plates lacked the necessary security code, stating, “Ekdam same hoga HSRP jaisa, par woh code nahi hoga. Par use koi fark nahi padta.” (It will look exactly like an HSRP, but without the security code. That doesn’t matter).
A vendor in Hadapsar offered plates at ₹600 for bikes and ₹800 for cars, requiring only a copy of the registration certificate. Meanwhile, a seller on Pune-Satara Road claimed to have sold over 100 fake plates in a month, charging ₹700 for bikes and ₹1,100 for cars.
RTO Warns of Legal Consequences
The RTO has emphasized that purchasing counterfeit HSRPs can lead to serious legal issues. Fake plates won’t be registered on the Vahan portal, making it impossible for owners to transfer, sell, or renew their vehicle’s registration.
Vehicle owners are advised to apply for HSRP plates through the official website (www.mhhsrp.com) and schedule an appointment at authorized centers. Despite the massive requirement, only 6,000 vehicles in Pune and 1,151 in Pimpri-Chinchwad have obtained HSRPs as of January-end.
The transport department has urged citizens to remain vigilant, follow the official process, and avoid falling prey to illegal sellers.
