Pune RTO Cracks Down on Fake HSRP Number Plates, Urges Vehicle Owners to Stay Vigilant
The Pune Regional Transport Office (RTO) has issued a stern warning to vehicle owners against purchasing counterfeit high-security registration plates (HSRPs) from unauthorized sellers. With the April 30 deadline looming for vehicles registered before April 2019 to install HSRPs, unscrupulous vendors are exploiting the situation by offering fake plates at lower prices. These counterfeit plates lack the mandatory security features and could land vehicle owners in legal trouble.
According to reports, unauthorized shops in areas like Ghorpadi Peth, Ambegaon, Malwadi, and along Pune-Satara Road are openly selling fake HSRPs. Vendors are luring customers with quick fixes, claiming no documents are required and offering plates at rates as low as Rs 600 for bikes and Rs 800 for cars. One shopkeeper in Ghorpadi Peth brazenly stated, “It will look exactly like an HSRP, but the security code won’t be there. No one will notice the difference.”
However, the RTO has made it clear that these fake plates are illegal and will not be recognized on the government’s Vahan portal, potentially causing issues during vehicle transactions. Officials have urged citizens to only obtain HSRPs through the official online portal (www.mhhsrp.com) and authorized dealers.
The stakes are high, as over 2.5 million vehicles in Pune district alone need to comply with the HSRP mandate. Shockingly, as of January, only around 6,000 vehicles in Pune and 1,151 in Pimpri Chinchwad have installed the official plates.
The RTO has also warned that strict action will be taken against unauthorized sellers and reiterated the importance of following proper procedures. Vehicle owners must complete their applications online, schedule fitness checks, pay the required fees, and obtain plates from government-approved centers.
As the deadline approaches, the RTO’s message is clear: avoid shortcuts and stay alert to avoid falling prey to counterfeit plates.
