In a significant relief to vehicle owners across Mumbai, the state transport department has officially extended the deadline for installing High Security Registration Plates (HSRP) for older vehicles. The new deadline now stands at December 31, providing an additional month for compliance.
What is the HSRP Deadline Extension?
The transport department announced on Saturday that the original November 30 cutoff date for fitting HSRP plates has been pushed back to December 31. This extension applies specifically to all vehicles that were registered before April 2019, as mandated by Supreme Court guidelines.
The HSRP requirement became mandatory following a Supreme Court directive aimed at enhancing vehicle security across the country. These specialized license plates incorporate advanced security features designed to prevent theft and fraudulent activities related to vehicle identification.
Why HSRP Matters for Vehicle Security
High Security Registration Plates represent a crucial upgrade from conventional number plates. They feature several security enhancements that make tampering and duplication extremely difficult. The plates include non-removable snap-on locks, chromium-based holograms, and laser-encoded permanent identification numbers.
Transport department officials have observed numerous vehicles displaying what they term as 'fancy' number plates. These unconventional plates often arrange registration numbers to form English or Devanagari words, a practice that will be completely eliminated once HSRP implementation is complete.
Impact on Vehicle Owners and Enforcement
An official from the transport commissioner's office confirmed that the elimination of non-standard number plates remains a key objective of the HSRP implementation drive. "This will be completely eliminated once HSRPs are installed in all vehicles," the official stated, emphasizing the security benefits of the standardized system.
The one-month extension provides much-needed breathing space for vehicle owners who haven't yet complied with the regulation. With the new December 31 deadline, authorities expect broader compliance and a smoother transition to the enhanced security system.
Vehicle owners are advised to schedule their HSRP installations promptly to avoid last-minute rushes and potential penalties after the extended deadline expires. The transport department has authorized multiple installation centers across Mumbai to facilitate the process for the city's substantial vehicle population.
