Secure vehicle numbers unlikely within deadline

Vendor may take more time to install HSRPs

The installation of high security registration plates (HSRP) in old vehicles in the capital has begun since June 15.

However, going by the pace at which the plates are being installed and the capacity of the authorised vendor to manufacture the security plates in comparison to the total number of registered vehicles in the capital, it is unlikely that the vendor would be able to install HSRP on all vehicles within the mandatory two-year period.

As per an estimate, there are around 70 lakh registered vehicles in the city and over a thousand new vehicles are registered every day.

“The installation of security plates started around a month ago. As far as replacing the HSRP of old vehicles are concerned, we have the mandate of replacing them on all vehicles within two years. We are making all possible efforts to meet the deadline,” said UR Kapoor, managing director of Rosmerta Technologies – the company which has had got the contract to install such plates in Delhi.

While the company officials are exuding confidence of meeting the deadline, the rate at which the plates are being installed, it seems they would miss the deadline by a very huge margin.

Currently, security plates are being registered from 11 centres in the capital, which would further be increased to 14 centres.

“On an average 1,100 to 1,200 new vehicles are being registered every day. All the 14 centres would install security plates for 80-85 new vehicles. Apart from that, HSRP would also be installed on the old vehicles in a phased manner,” said Kapoor.

However, he added that the response of the vehicle owners has also been one of the reasons for the slow pace of installation initially. 

As per plans, plates of all the government vehicles would be replaced first and then plates of private vehicles will be taken up.

However, one of the major bottlenecks in meeting the targets would be the capacity of the vendor to manufacture as many number plates.

“Currently, the company has one production unit in Burari, which on an average produces 1,200-1,400 plates per day. However, another unit in Mayapuri would start production soon, which would double the average production.

The company would be in a position to produce around 3,000 plates per day,” a transport department official said.

By that average, the company at best would be able to install around ten lakh plates in one year and 20 lakh plates in two years.

The number would be way below the 70 lakh mark.