In light of less than 35 per cent compliance, the Maharashtra government on Friday extended the deadline for fitting High Security Registration Plates (HSRP) to August 15, warning that strict action would follow against violators. This marks the third extension for vehicles registered before April 1, 2019. Originally due by March 31, the deadline was first moved to April-end, then to June 30, and now to mid-August owing to the poor response from vehicle owners. mid-day spoke with Maharashtra Transport Commissioner Vivek Bhimanwar to understand the reasons behind the move, the benefits of HSRPs, fake plate concerns, and what citizens should do next.
  
What is the purpose of HSRPs, and how do they enhance vehicle and public safety?
The Motor Vehicles Act mandates HSRP installation for vehicles registered before April 2019. The Supreme Court has also directed all states to act on this, including filing progress reports regularly. HSRPs promote safety through standardisation and traceability. Plates have snap locks, unique IDs, and are linked to the central vehicle database, enabling easier enforcement and making theft harder.

What are the benefits of these plates? Has their use reduced theft or traffic violations?

There are three major benefits:
1. Uniformity – All number plates follow a standard format and material, which enables electronic enforcement.
2. Security – HSRPs have snap locks that make it harder to steal or misuse vehicles by simply replacing plates.
3. Data linkage – When a plate is affixed, it’s linked to the central government portal, making it easier to track misuse.
These benefits are why HSRPs are legally mandatory across the country as per Supreme Court orders.
 
What is the latest deadline for HSRP installation, and why has it been extended thrice?
The new deadline is August 15. Even if a vehicle owner books an appointment before that date, no fine will be imposed, even if the installation happens later. The extension is due to delays in slot availability and public 
response.

Why do HSRP prices differ between states or vendors? Shouldn’t pricing be uniform?
Pricing is based on competitive bidding and is governed by Central Government norms. Slight variations between states are due to different vendor agreements.
 
Is there any subsidy or assistance for economically weaker sections?
No, there is currently no subsidy scheme for economically weaker sections. Prices were finalised through a competitive bidding process, and no state-run assistance scheme exists.
 
How are fake vs. genuine HSRPs identified? What should users be careful about?
We found seven to eight fake websites scamming vehicle owners by falsely offering HSRPs. FIRs have been filed. We appeal to citizens to book only through the official transport websites, where payment is digital and data is updated to the central portal. Enforcement teams verify plates using scanners. If a plate isn’t registered in the system, the vehicle will be flagged as not having a valid HSRP.