Transport dept finds it difficult to cope with rush for HSRPs

With more than 450 applicants seeking high security registration plates (HSRP) every day, the district transport department is finding it difficult to manage the heavy rush of applicants at its office.

The rush at the district transport office (DTO) has increased after the department made it mandatory for every vehicle to have HSRPs and warned of issuing challans in case of a violation.

Following the directions of the Supreme Court, the state transport department has made it mandatory for the new vehicles to have HSRPs at the time of purchase. For owners of old vehicles, August 31 has been set as the deadline for getting HSRPs affixed.

Following the state transport department's directions, the DTO has been receiving nearly 450 applications daily as against 250-300 every day in May. It has resulted in long queues and heavy rush at the two windows in the DTO office.

Applicants at the DTO office said people are being harassed, as they have to come two-three times to get HSRPs affixed. Due to the heavy rush of applicants, the department has failed to manage all of them.

As per the state government directions, after August 31, DTO officials would issue challans of Rs 3,000 for four-wheelers and Rs 2,000 for two-wheelers to violators.

On Monday, 457 applications were received by the office, while the department, on daily average, affixes HSRPs on 255 two-wheelers and 110 four-wheelers.

The transport office provides HSRPs within seven days after receiving an application, but it has failed to accomplish the task due to heavy rush and limited human resource and now takes 15-20 days to affix HSRPs.

A Delhi-based company, Agros Impex Private Limited, has been assigned the contract of fixing HSRPs in the district. Company's zonal in-charge Arjun Singh said, "We give 7-10 days to applicants for getting their number plates affixed, but due to heavy rush it has become difficult for us to manage the influx," he added.

He added that a number plate for scooters, motorcycles, mopeds or other two-wheelers would cost Rs 125, while it will be Rs 170 for three-wheelers. Light motor vehicles/ passenger cars would get it affixed for Rs 370. Medium commercial vehicles/ heavy commercial vehicles, trailers/combination would get HSRP affixed for Rs 394, while agriculture tractor/other vehicles would be charged Rs 125, including VAT and other taxes.

District transport officer RP Singh said, "I have held a meeting with officials of Agros Impex and directed them to clear all pending cases soon. The work for affixing HSRPs would be done in five to seven days in coming days," he said.