Old vehicles to have hi-tech number plates from June 30

Old vehicles in Panchkula will also have to get fixed high security registration plates (HSRP) from June 30. "We launched the HSRP for new vehicles on May 15 while the process for old vehicles will start from June 30," said sub-divisional magistrate (SDM) Sharandeep Brar, who also heads the registration and licensing authority (RLA).

The awareness level about the HSRP is low here, as so far only 40 vehicles have got them fixed. The contract for it has been given to Link Utsav Registration Plates Pvt Ltd for Haryana.

"We also have contracts for the states of Himachal, Madhya Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Delhi and parts of West Bengal," said DGM of Link Utsav Arvind Sharda, who is also handling the process in Haryana.

"Panchkula is the first city in Haryana where the HSRP has been launched. In the next two days, we may launch it in Ambala, Kalka and Yamunanagar," he added.

At the RLA office in Sector 1, counter number 10 is reserved for the payment for HSRP, but the plates will be fixed on vehicles at the office of the company, which is located on the first floor of the bus stand at Sector 5.

Owners of old vehicles have to give an application at the RLA office for the HSRP. After getting an authority letter, they will pay for the plate at counter number 10 and the plate will be fixed at the Sector 5 office of the company.

"In Panchkula, we have a capacity to fix 1,000 number plates in a day," Sharda said.

In October 2011, the Supreme Court had imposed a fine of Rs 50,000 on the Haryana government for "disobeying" its directions regarding the implementation of HSRP on motor vehicles.

In a recent order on February 14, the apex court had ruled: "Installation of HSRP is a statutory command which is not only in the interest of the security of the state, but also serves a much larger public interest. Therefore, it is not only desirable, but mandatory, for every state to comply with the statutory provisions/orders of this court in terms of Article 129 of the Constitution of India, 1950."

What is High Security Registration Plate
A HSRP will ensure safety from vehicle thefts. The number plate once fixed cannot be affixed again. Once allotted, the data will be fed to National Informatic Centre, which will have a database from other states as well. Now, no one can get fashionable with number plates. It has six unique features:

1) Carries a hologram
2) IND is written on left
3) A unique laser code
4) Unbreakable
5) Same font of alphabets and digits on all number plates carrying INDIA written on them
6) High reflectivity