Public Outcry Over Mandatory HSRP In Pune And Lack Of Public Awareness; Protesters Question Government’s Decision
Pune, 20th February 2025: The government’s mandate requiring all vehicles manufactured before 2019 to install High-Security Registration Plates (HSRP) has sparked widespread opposition. Vehicle owners are now required to bear the additional cost of the new plates, leading to protests across the city. On Wednesday, law students staged a demonstration at Goodluck Chowk, holding placards to raise awareness about what they termed an unfair burden on the public.
A major concern highlighted during the protest was the lack of public awareness regarding the new mandate. Protesters criticized the government for failing to conduct a proper information campaign, resulting in confusion and misinformation among citizens. This has inadvertently led to the rise of a black market in Pune, where counterfeit HSRP number plates are being sold illegally.
The Central Government has made HSRP mandatory for all vehicles across the country, with new vehicles sold after July 2022 already equipped with these plates. However, the recent mandate requires all pre-2019 vehicles to install them by 30th April 2025. The cost of the number plate, along with fitting charges, is to be borne by vehicle owners in Maharashtra. The charges include ₹450 + 18% GST for two-wheelers and tractors, ₹500 + 18% GST for three-wheelers, and ₹745 + 18% GST for all other vehicles.
Protesting students questioned the rationale behind imposing this financial burden on vehicle owners, arguing that they had already paid for number plates and RTO taxes at the time of purchase. They demanded that the government should cover the cost instead of shifting it onto citizens. Akshay Kumthekar, one of the protesting students, urged both the Central and State governments to take responsibility for the cost and provide the plates free of charge.
The protest also exposed a growing black market for HSRP number plates in Pune. Reports suggest that counterfeit plates are being sold in areas like Ghorpade Peth, Ambegaon, Malwadi, and Pune-Satara Road. Vendors in these areas are allegedly charging ₹600 for two-wheelers and ₹800 for cars, bypassing official registration procedures. A shopkeeper in Ghorpade Peth, quoted in a Times of India report, admitted that these plates are being issued without any document verification.
As the deadline approaches, citizens and activists continue to demand government intervention to address the concerns surrounding cost, awareness, and the proliferation of illegal number plates in the city.
