In April, the state transport department announced through the media that all vehicles registered before April 1, 2019, must switch to HSRP by September 30, 2024.
Hyderabad: Vehicle owners looking to replace their old number plates with High Security Registration Plates (HSRP) are in a state of confusion, as several bogus websites posing as official portals are luring applicants into fake registrations. The state transport authority has issued a warning, cautioning the public against these fraudulent platforms. However, what compounds the problems is the lack of an official website or registration link for HSRP from the transport department itself.
In April, the state transport department announced through the media that all vehicles registered before April 1, 2019, must switch to HSRP by September 30, 2024. But regional transport officials now say that there is no official cut-off date yet, as they have not received formal written instructions from the department. This contradiction has resulted in public confusion, particularly after the initial announcement by the transport minister.
According to transport authorities, over two lakh vehicles in the state are still operating without HSRP. The HSRP number plates were first introduced in India in 2013 and later implemented in Telangana in 2019. These plates are tamper-proof and theft-resistant, featuring a laser-branded serial number and a verification code.
Social media is flooded with appeals from vehicle owners urging the transport minister to intervene and provide an official registration link so they can legally obtain HSRP. As per Rule 50 of the Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989, the design, format and display standards of registration plates are clearly laid out. The rule mandates the specifications for high security plates, including their construction, positioning and the format of the registration number.
