Pune Transport Department Sets February 18 Deadline for HSRP Enforcement
Senior officials from the state transport department have confirmed that enforcement actions against vehicles lacking high-security registration plates (HSRPs) will commence after February 18. This decision comes more than a month after the final deadline of December 31, 2025, expired, marking a significant shift from repeated extensions to strict implementation.
15-Day Grace Period for Pre-Deadline Applicants
State Transport Commissioner Vivek Bhimanwar stated that the department will allow an additional 15-day window specifically for vehicle owners who applied for HSRPs before December 31, 2025. "Once this window closes, enforcement will begin. Those who had booked appointments before the deadline must be given a fair chance, which is why we waited," Bhimanwar explained during an interview on Tuesday.
This grace period represents the department's final attempt to accommodate compliant citizens before transitioning to punitive measures.
Strict Penalties for Non-Compliance
Transport department sources revealed that vehicle owners who booked HSRP appointments after December 31 are likely to face fines of Rs 1,000. "Despite repeated deadlines, most vehicle owners have failed to comply. Many are simply not taking this seriously, and enforcement now seems to be the only way to ensure compliance," a senior official emphasized.
The enforcement strategy will involve:
- Comprehensive vehicle inspections during traffic stops
- Verification of multiple documents including registration certificates, insurance, PUC certificates, and driving licences
- Increased penalties for any missing documentation
Alarming Compliance Statistics in Pune
Pune's compliance rate remains critically low, with only approximately 35% of eligible vehicles fitted with HSRPs. Official data reveals that of the 2,428,589 vehicles requiring the plates in the city, merely 8,57,209 have been properly fitted so far.
The HSRP mandate specifically applies to vehicles registered before April 1, 2019, and was first announced in December 2024. Since the initial notification, the transport department issued six separate deadlines:
- March 30, 2025
- April 30, 2025
- June 30, 2025
- August 15, 2025
- November 30, 2025
- December 31, 2025 (final deadline)
State-Wide Non-Compliance Challenges
While attempts to contact officials at the Pimpri Chinchwad RTO remained unanswered, reliable sources indicate that over one crore vehicles across Maharashtra still lack the mandatory high-security plates. This massive non-compliance has created significant operational challenges for both transport authorities and fitment centers.
A fitment center executive in Pune described the practical difficulties: "We have many HSRPs ready for scheduled appointments, but vehicle owners do not show up. Some arrive a week or even 15 days later, often just before closing time, insisting on immediate fitment. Fitment centres are primarily showrooms and service centres, and we cannot focus exclusively on one task."
No Further Extensions Planned
Transport department officials have made it clear that no further extensions will be granted. "The deadline expired over a month ago, and no extension was announced. This indicates the state government does not intend to offer further relaxations," an official stated definitively.
Department officials noted that while there was initial confusion when the HSRP process began in December 2024, the system eventually stabilized. However, the persistent issue of vehicle owners missing scheduled appointments and arriving at their convenience reflects what authorities describe as "a lack of seriousness" among the public.
The February 18 enforcement date represents a critical turning point in Maharashtra's road safety and vehicle registration modernization efforts, with Pune serving as a key focus area due to its substantial vehicle population and concerning compliance rates.
