Fresh tenders for high security number plates soon

The transport department initiative to weed out fake number plates and maintain uniformity across the State will finally see the light of day. The department has called for fresh tenders for introduction of high security registration plates (HSRP).

Sources said the programme will be implemented under PPP model. The private partner will build the system, finance it, operate it before transferring it to the government. The private agency will be finalised with in two months. 

Though HSRP was in news from several year, it ran into controversy due to clash between the private stake holders and the State government when it came to implementation.

During year 2005, the department had stalled the tendering process after a company quoted three times the actual price.

A related case was also pending for long in the High Court before it was disposed off few years ago. However, last year, the HSRP in the State again met with problems as private parties and government were not able to come to a conclusion for bidding for the project.
In fact, HSRP is a fall out of the modification of Central Motor Vehicles Act to enforce installation of high-security registration plates in 2005 by the Centre.

Even though the rule is in place for many years, very few states have adopted it. It was in New Delhi where in the HSRP rules came in to existence. Under the system, the number plates will be tamper proof and uniformity as per national guidelines will be maintained. Andhra Pradesh too is implementing the HSRP system.

Sources said once the PPP partner is chosen, most of the commercial vehicles including auto rickshaws and buses will have to switch to new number plates within a year. It will be mandatory for new vehicles to adopt HSRP.