Pune’s high-security registration plate (HSRP) rollout remains incomplete, with more than 2.09 lakh ordered plates yet to be physically fitted, while illegal, stylised and deliberately obscured number plates continue to be used across Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad.
The HSRP mandate has been in force since July 1, but the continued presence of non-standard plates has raised concerns about enforcement and vehicle traceability. 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.
Data shared by the Pune Regional Transport Office 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. This leaves more than 2.09 lakh vehicles, or nearly 18 per cent of the orders, without their new plates physically installed.
Deputy RTO Pune Swapnil Bhosale said regular drives were being conducted against illegal modifications and non-HSRP plates. According to him, 3,093 violators had been fined, generating around Rs 1.23 lakh in penalties. He said action against aftermarket accessory shops selling illegal plates and modifications was outside the RTO’s jurisdiction.
The enforcement gap has also been reported by residents who have complied with the mandate. Rohan Jadhav, a resident of Dange Chowk, said vehicles carrying names, four-digit numbers or other fancy plates were still commonly seen on city roads. He contrasted this with action taken for smaller violations such as broken or missing mirrors.
Residents said unreadable plates create difficulties beyond regulatory non-compliance because they can obstruct investigations after crashes, assaults, burglaries and other incidents. Neeraj Nangare, a resident of Shukrawar Peth, said vehicles involved in road incidents could become difficult to trace if their registration numbers were missing or unclear on CCTV footage.
A reported accident in Pimpri-Chinchwad illustrated that concern. On September 5, senior citizen Datta Dhamnaskar was waiting at a signal in Bhel Chowk, Nigdi Pradhikaran, when a car hit his scooter from behind and fled. Dhamnaskar survived with minor injuries, but the only available lead was a partial registration number, MH-14-LG-51. The vehicle’s four-digit unique registration number was missing from the plate, making it difficult for police to identify the owner.
The Pimpri-Chinchwad RTO also conducted a special inspection drive from September 1 to September 15 against vehicles with non-compliant tinted films, fancy or stylised plates and vehicles without HSRPs. The drive resulted in 395 challans. Of these, 167 had been paid, generating Rs 8,09,270 in fines.
The Pimpri-Chinchwad Deputy Regional Transport Officer warned vehicle owners to remove tinted films, unauthorised modifications and fancy plates immediately. The RTO said punitive action would follow under the Motor Vehicles Act against those who failed to comply.
