The latest online auction for exclusive vehicle registration numbers in Chandigarh witnessed fierce competition, with the coveted '0001' plate emerging as the star attraction. The number from the new CH01-DC series was finally sold for a staggering Rs 31.35 lakh, securing its place as the second-highest bid ever recorded for a fancy number in the city.
Record-Breaking Bids in Three-Day Auction
Organised by the Registering and Licensing Authority (RLA), the digital auction took place over three days from December 20 to December 22. It featured the entire new CH01-DC series, spanning numbers from 0001 to 9999, alongside a selection of unsold fancy and special numbers from previous series. In total, 485 registration numbers found new owners, generating a substantial revenue of Rs 2.96 crore for the state administration.
The reserve price for the top lot, '0001', was a mere Rs 50,000, highlighting the massive premium that bidders are willing to pay for status-symbol plates. The intense bidding war pushed the final price to over sixty times its base value.
Top Performers and High-Value Numbers
Following the lead of '0001', other single-digit and repeating numbers also commanded impressive prices. The second most expensive number was '0009', which sold for Rs 20.72 lakh. It was closely trailed by '0007', fetching Rs 16.13 lakh.
The list of other high-value numbers from this auction includes:
- '9999' sold for Rs 13.66 lakh
- '0005' sold for Rs 11.07 lakh
- '0010' sold for Rs 10.17 lakh
- '0006' sold for Rs 7.02 lakh
- '0003' sold for Rs 5.63 lakh
- '7777' sold for Rs 5.26 lakh
Historic Context and Unbroken Record
Despite the robust bidding, the all-time record for a fancy number in Chandigarh remains unbroken. That record was set just a few months prior, in August of this year, when the '0001' plate from the CH01-DA series was auctioned for Rs 36.43 lakh.
The recent Rs 31.35 lakh bid for CH01-DC '0001' now stands as the city's second-highest. The third position is held by the '0001' of the CH01-CZ series, which went for Rs 31 lakh in May. The fourth-highest bid of Rs 26.7 lakh was for the '0001' of the CH01-AP series, while another notable sale saw the CH01-CY series '0001' sell for Rs 25 lakh.
These consistent high-value auctions underscore the enduring appeal and social cachet associated with low-numbered and unique vehicle registration plates in India, transforming them into valuable assets for their owners and a significant revenue stream for the government.
