The Chandigarh Transport Department's Registering and Licensing Authority (RLA) is conducting an online auction for the new vehicle series CH01-DE, which has attracted over 850 bidders. The three-day bidding process, which began on Saturday, will conclude on Monday evening, following a seven-day registration period.
High Demand for Fancy Numbers
The RLA has received more than a thousand applications for the ongoing online auction. Many applicants have applied for two, three, or more registration numbers in an effort to secure their preferred digits. According to RLA records, the registration number CH01-DE-1001 has the highest number of bidders at 37. Additionally, 26 bidders have shown interest in CH-01DE-0003 and CH-01DE-7777, while CH-01-DE-0005 and CH-01-DE-1000 have 25 bidders each.
"Though around 950 people showed interest and completed the registration process, as of Saturday, the authority had received demand drafts (DDs) from approximately 850 applicants, confirming their participation. The remaining interested bidders can submit their DDs until Monday evening, before the auction closes," a source within the RLA told TOI.
Fascination with New Series
The new series has generated widespread fascination. There are 275 registered fancy numbers that can only be auctioned through bidding. In addition to these, many bidders are competing for over 575 regular registration numbers from the new series, willing to pay significant sums for numbers that do not fall under the fancy category.
Revenue Generation for Administration
The e-auction of fancy registration numbers is a key revenue source for the Chandigarh administration. The RLA focuses heavily on these auctions, having earned substantial amounts in the past. The reserve prices for the CH01-DE series range from Rs 5,000 to Rs 50,000, with the first number CH01-DE-0001 having a reserve price of Rs 50,000. After the auction, the series will be opened to the general public.
Top 10 Numbers with Maximum Bidders
- CH01-DE-1001: 37 applicants, Reserve Price Rs 5,000
- CH-01-DE-9999: 28 applicants, Reserve Price Rs 20,000
- CH-01DE-0003: 26 applicants, Reserve Price Rs 30,000
- CH-01DE-7777: 26 applicants, Reserve Price Rs 20,000
- CH-01DE-0005: 25 applicants, Reserve Price Rs 30,000
- CH-01-DE-1000: 25 applicants, Reserve Price Rs 20,000
- CH-01-DE-1100: 24 applicants, Reserve Price Rs 5,000
- CH-01-DE-5500: 23 applicants, Reserve Price Rs 50,000
- CH-01-DE-9900: 22 applicants, Reserve Price Rs 5,000
- CH-01-DE-2300: 22 applicants, Reserve Price Rs 5,000
