Maharashtra has issued show-cause notices to 27 Regional Transport Officers, deputy RTOs and other transport officials after finding poor compliance with High Security Registration Plates (HSRPs) on older vehicles, while continuing a statewide enforcement drive against vehicle owners without the mandatory plates.
The notices were served in jurisdictions where more than 50% of vehicles registered before April 2019 are yet to be fitted with HSRPs, according to transport department officials. The action follows the June 30 deadline for installation and an enforcement campaign that began across the state on July 1.
Transport department data shows that more than 2.7 lakh vehicles have been inspected since the drive began. Officials detected 71,870 vehicles operating without HSRPs during these checks and recovered Rs 1.38 crore in penalties. Vehicle owners found without the required plates are fined Rs 1,000 under the Motor Vehicles Act.
The enforcement is also targeting vehicles displaying illegal fancy number plates or tampered registration plates. The department said HSRPs are designed to make such tampering more difficult through features including a chromium-based Ashok Chakra hologram, laser-etched identification codes and non-reusable snap locks.
Maharashtra has an estimated 2.10 crore vehicles registered before April 2019. Of these, about 1.12 crore have been fitted with HSRPs so far, leaving a substantial number of older vehicles outside the compliance system. The figures indicate that roadside inspections are being used to address a large administrative gap involving vehicles that were registered before the newer plate requirement took effect.
The transport department has adopted a dual enforcement strategy. Alongside roadside checks and fines, Regional Transport Offices have been directed to deny several key services to vehicles without HSRPs. These services include ownership transfers, changes of address, re-registration, hypothecation and modification approvals.
The restrictions mean that non-compliance can affect not only day-to-day driving but also important ownership and registration transactions. The measure places responsibility on both vehicle owners and the RTO jurisdictions overseeing compliance, with the latest notices directed at officials in areas where installation levels remain particularly low.
HSRPs were made mandatory following Supreme Court directives aimed at improving vehicle security and traceability. Joint Transport Commissioner Shailesh Kamat said inspections were continuing across Maharashtra and that non-compliant vehicles would be penalised as the department pursued full compliance.
The enforcement drive will continue across the state, with roadside inspections, penalties and restrictions on RTO services forming the department’s stated route towards completing HSRP installation on older vehicles.
