Pune’s high-security registration plate (HSRP) rollout is facing a significant enforcement gap, with more than 2.09 lakh ordered plates yet to be physically fitted even as stylised, obscured and non-standard number plates remain common across Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad. Regional transport authorities say enforcement drives are underway against violators.
The issue came into focus after a Fortuner owner from Tathawade was booked for using an auto-hiding number plate designed to evade speed cameras. The incident has renewed concerns about vehicles operating with plates that cannot be read easily by traffic enforcement systems or witnesses.
For residents who have complied with the HSRP mandate, the continued presence of fancy plates, concealed registration numbers and unauthorised vehicle modifications has raised questions about consistent enforcement. Pune resident Rohan Jadhav said vehicles with plates carrying only names or four-digit numbers, along with dark tinted glass, continue to be seen on city roads.
Residents have also linked unreadable plates to the difficulty of tracing vehicles involved in crashes or crimes. Neeraj Nangare, a resident of Shukrawar Peth, said a vehicle involved in a road rage incident, accident, burglary or assault could be difficult to identify if its registration number is not legible on CCTV footage.
A recent case in Nigdi Pradhikaran illustrated that concern. On September 5, senior citizen Datta Dhamnaskar was waiting at the Bhel Chowk signal when a car hit his scooter from behind and fled. Dhamnaskar survived with minor injuries, but the only lead available to police was the partial number MH-14-LG-51. The vehicle’s four-digit unique registration number was missing from the plate, making it difficult to trace the owner.
Deputy RTO Pune Swapnil Bhosale said regular drives were being conducted against illegal modifications and non-HSRP plates. According to him, 3,093 violators have been fined so far, generating approximately Rs 1.23 lakh in penalties. When asked about action against aftermarket accessory shops selling illegal plates and modifications, Bhosale said the issue was outside the RTO’s jurisdiction.
The Pimpri-Chinchwad RTO also conducted a special inspection drive from September 1 to September 15. The operation targeted vehicles with non-compliant tinted films, fancy or stylised number plates and vehicles without HSRPs. It resulted in 395 challans, of which 167 had been paid, generating Rs 8,09,270 in fines.
The Deputy Regional Transport Officer of Pimpri-Chinchwad RTO warned vehicle owners to remove tinted films, unauthorised modifications and fancy plates immediately. Failure to comply would invite punitive action under the Motor Vehicles Act, the official said.
The enforcement challenge comes as the HSRP rollout itself remains incomplete. Pune RTO data as of September 15 showed that 11,90,113 HSRP orders had been placed and 11,87,130 appointments scheduled. However, only 9,77,997 physical fitments had been completed, leaving more than 2.09 lakh vehicles, or nearly 18 per cent of all orders, without fitted plates. The RTO’s ongoing drives and the completion of pending fitments remain the immediate next steps in enforcing the mandate.
