Visakhapatnam: A resident of Vizag City has paid Rs 3.54 lakh for the number AP31 DF 9999 for his new car. Another number AP31 DF 3456 was bagged by a motorist for Rs 3.35 lakh on the final day of the fancy registration numbers in Vizag City.
Road transport department officials on Saturday said that they auctioned 63 fancy numbers in the past four days August 16 to 19, but the response was so good on the final day that only two numbers were bagged for the highest amount.
The Road Transport Office (RTO) in Vizag city has earned Rs 33 lakh by auctioning the numbers.
But, officials have came under criticism as the most popular fancy registration numbers 9 has been reserved for the high and mighty, causing a loss to the state exchequer.
On Thursday, AP31DF9 number was reserved for a political leader in Vizag city and the politician just paid Rs 50,000 (the base price) as there were no bids for the number.
Sources said that the fancy registration numbers auction was held under the lens of police on Saturday following heated arguments between the Telugu Desam and YSRC leaders to claim numbers at cheap prices.
A senior officer on condition of anonymity said, “They are chalking out plans to e-auction fancy numbers in cities like Vizag and Vijayawada and if all goes as per plans the fight for fancy numbers will go online by November.”.
