BENGALURU, 5 NOV

Out of Karnataka's 1.9 crore registered vehicles, only 54 lakh have installed High Security Registration Plates (HSRP) despite State government extending the deadline four times, according to Transport Department. The slow adoption rate is attributed to a lack of public awareness and challenges faced by vehicle owners, particularly since several vehicle manufacturers have shut down operations in India, a source in Regional Transport Offices (RTOs) in Bengaluru said.

Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy told Salar News that the government extended the HSRP deadline partly due to ongoing legal disputes and also to give vehicle owners more time to comply.

However, awareness remains a significant barrier, as many vehicle owners are unaware of the HSRP requirements and how to get them installed, sources from Regional Transport Offices (RTOs) in Bengaluru said. Currently, owners must obtain HSRPs through authorised dealers or vehicle manufacturers, which presents another obstacle. “Several manufacturers, including Daewoo, Ambassador, Opel, Fiat, and LML, have exited the Indian market, leaving owners of these vehicles unsure of how to proceed,” an RTO official said.

Apart from this, Akhila Karnataka Vehicle Number Plates Manufacturers and Sellers Association opposed the mandatory installation of HSRPs in old vehicles and filed a petition with Karnataka Lokayukta in January alleging corruption in the implementation.

Even those willing to comply with the HSRP requirement face various challenges, including long waiting times due to supply delays, incorrect data on plates and issues with the online booking system. "Despite submitting the correct details, the registration number on my two-wheeler’s plate was embossed incorrectly, and it took multiple visits to the showroom to resolve," said Satish, a resident of Rajajinagar.

Citizens can call 9449863429/9449863426 between 10am and 5.30pm if they face any problem in getting the HSRP online. —Salar News