Nagpur: In what has become a recurring saga of missed deadlines and mounting apathy, the Maharashtra Transport Department has once again extended the deadline for installing High Security Registration Plates (HSRP) on older vehicles. The latest cutoff — now pushed to August 15, 2025 — marks yet another reprieve for lakhs of vehicle owners who remain non-compliant with the mandatory safety measure.
Despite being mandated under the Central Motor Vehicle Rules for all vehicles registered before April 1, 2019, the response on the ground has been sluggish — particularly in Nagpur. Transport Commissioner Vivek Bhimanwar, in a fresh circular, acknowledged the lack of progress and called for stricter enforcement coupled with intensified awareness efforts.
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08 Aug 2025
According to official data, out of 16.71 lakh eligible vehicles across Nagpur division, only a small chunk has had the tamper-proof, traceable number plates installed. In the jurisdiction of the Nagpur City RTO alone — responsible for 12.59 lakh vehicles — a mere 55,076 vehicles have completed the HSRP installation. While over 1.13 lakh orders have been placed, the gap between intention and action is glaring.
The story repeats at the Nagpur (East) Deputy RTO, where 4.11 lakh vehicles fall under the HSRP rule. Here, only 48,136 vehicles have been fitted with the plates out of 1.09 lakh orders. Similarly, in Nagpur Rural, although 5.62 lakh vehicles are eligible, just over 82,000 vehicles have been fitted despite 1.47 lakh orders.
‘Book before you’re booked’ – Transport Dept’s final warning
Officials are tightening the leash. From August 16, enforcement squads will begin penalizing vehicles found without HSRP and no valid appointment. The only saving grace? Vehicle owners who book their installation slot before August 15 will be spared fines, even if the actual fitment occurs later.
Bhimanwar has instructed RTOs across the state to amplify awareness drives and work closely with automobile dealers and transport unions — including those representing autos, buses, taxis, and freight carriers — to accelerate compliance.
Introduced in 2019 to curb vehicle theft and enhance traceability, the HSRP initiative has faced repeated resistance — not due to opposition, but inertia. Previous deadlines have come and gone, with little effect. The government’s reluctance to crack the whip has also arguably contributed to the prevailing indifference.
Authorities now warn that this may be the last extension. If compliance remains poor, the transport department may resort to hefty penalties, roadside checks, and even seizure of non-compliant vehicles.
Don’t wait till the last minute
In his concluding appeal, Commissioner Bhimanwar urged citizens not to procrastinate further: “The process is simple. Book your appointment online, get the plates fixed, and avoid unnecessary fines. Let’s not wait for the last day to act.”
With the clock ticking and enforcement looming, vehicle owners would do well to heed the warning — or risk being caught on the wrong side of the law.
