New Delhi: The Delhi Transport department Tuesday issued a public notice, asking vehicle owners to install High Security Registration Plates (HSRP), including the “third registration mark” on new and old vehicles, and stated that those failing to do so are “liable for prosecution under the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 and the CMV rules, 1989”.
The transport department also stated that the “enforcement drive will start soon”.
The notification comes amid the raging coronavirus pandemic, where the total deaths due to the virus in the national capital have crossed the 5,000-mark and the number of infections are over 2 lakh.
Notice to only make people ‘aware’
Asked about the notification, Manisha Saxena, Delhi Transport Secretary, told ThePrint the primary motive behind issuing it was to make people “aware” that they should get the HSRP and colour-coded stickers “as soon as possible”, and not to create a panic situation amid the pandemic.
“This is as per the Supreme Court directions. Most people don’t even know that they are supposed to get the HSRP and the coloured stickers. We just want to inform them and create awareness on the matter,” Saxena said.
“The enforcement drive cannot start without informing the people first,” Saxena said, without revealing when the drive will start.
The transport secretary added that the process for getting HSRP and colour-coded stickers “shouldn’t be problematic” as registration happens online at the portal — bookmyhsrp.com.
“One can register here and get in touch with the listed dealers to get it done as per their appointment,” Saxena added.
The fine that will be imposed on those found guilty during the enforcement drive could be up to Rs 1,000, she added.
Meanwhile, Delhi BJP spokesperson Praveen Shankar Kapoor requested the Lieutenant Governor to direct the government to withdraw the order in the wake of the pandemic.
वाह री @ArvindKejriwal सरकार#COVID19 काल में लाई लगभग 70 लाख वाहनों के लिये #NumberPlate बदलने की अनिवार्यता।
Request to @LtGovDelhi
Please Direct @TransportDelhi To Withdraw Its #NumberPlate Change Related Circular Till #Covid_19 Crisis Ends@TajinderBagga @ArvindKejriwal pic.twitter.com/bwE1l9NRKX
— Praveen Shankar Kapoor (@praveenskapoor) September 22, 2020
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What are HSRPs and third registration stickers?
The Supreme Court-appointed Environment Pollution Control Authority (EPCA) had directed last March that all vehicles in Delhi-NCR should have HSRP and colour-coded stickers by October 2019.
A transport department official told ThePrint the order couldn’t be implemented within the stipulated time as the HSRP material was not available. So, the order has been issued now, he added.
The vehicles sold from 1 April 2019 are mandatorily equipped with tamper-proof HSRPs. But those registered before that date will have to get HSRP and hologram-based stickers.
The third registration sticker, fixed on the bottom-left side of the windshield of a vehicle, has colour coding based on the vehicle’s fuel type.
It is light blue in case of petrol or CNG cars, and orange for diesel ones. The sticker contains details such as — registration number, engine and chassis numbers of the vehicle, the registering authority and a laser-branded PIN.
HSRP plates include two registration plates to be placed at the front and back of the vehicle. The HSRP helps in keeping track of the vehicle, and makes it easier to trace a lost or stolen vehicle or those involved in crimes.
The transport department has authorised the dealers of the OEMs (Original Equipment Manufacturer) for affixing the HSRP and colour-coded stickers.
Around 50 lakh two-wheelers and 21 lakh cars reportedly do not have HSRPs in Delhi.
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