HSRP installation: Nov 20 is the new deadline in K’taka

NT Correspondent: Bengaluru In relief for a majority of vehicle owners who are yet to fit High Security Registration Plates (HSRP) in the state, the Karnataka High Court on Wednesday extended the deadline for doing so to November 20. This comes after the previous deadline of September 15 ended triggering confusion among officials on whether to levy the fine of Rs 500 on those vehicles without a HSRP plate. During a hearing by Justices K Kameshwar Rao and K Rajesh Bai, it was anounced that the deadline was being postponed to November 20.

In August 2023 last year, the transport department had issued a notification making the installation of HSRP mandatory for vehicles purchased before April 1 2019. As per reports, only 52 lakh vehicles in Karnataka have HSRP plates fitted, leaving 1.4 crore without them. Motorists can now breathe a sigh of relief, after facing issues in obtaining one. A few claim that the registration portal refuses to register the vehicle number. And even after registration, owners have to wait in long queues, not knowing when they will get the HSRP.

A HSRP contains a unique 10 digit number linked to the vehicle’s chassis. This number can be seen below a hologram with “INDIA” engraved on it. For four wheelers, two plates, one on the front and the other on the back are fitted. For two-wheelers, only one plate on the rear is installed. These plates help detect theft and other suspicious activities.