Pune continues to face a major bottleneck in the implementation of High Security Registration Plates (HSRP), with nearly 16 lakh vehicles still without the mandatory plates, even as the final deadline of December 31 approaches.
According to transport department data, Pune has around 26 lakh vehicles that are required to install HSRP as per court and government directives. So far, only about 10 lakh vehicle owners have registered, and of these, approximately 8 lakh have completed the installation. This leaves a significant 65% of vehicles still non-compliant.
HSRP installation was made mandatory for all vehicles registered before April 1, 2019, following a High Court order aimed at improving vehicle traceability, reducing crime, and enhancing road safety. The process officially began in January 2025, with the transport department extending the deadline multiple times due to slow response and infrastructure constraints.
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Despite these extensions now totaling five revisions, progress has remained sluggish. In December alone, only around 50,000 vehicle owners registered for HSRP, raising concerns that at the current pace, full compliance could take several more months.
Transport officials said that while there were initial complaints about a shortage of fitment centres, capacity has since been increased. However, public apathy and delay by vehicle owners continue to be the biggest hurdles.
Authorities maintain that HSRPs are crucial for identifying vehicles involved in accidents, thefts, and criminal activities, as the tamper-proof plates are linked to a central database. The plates also help prevent duplication and misuse of vehicle identities.
With the deadline nearing, questions are now being raised about whether the transport department will extend the deadline yet again or initiate strict enforcement and penalties against defaulters. Officials have indicated that further extensions may weaken compliance efforts, but enforcement without adequate installation coverage could also strain the system.
As of now, Pune remains one of the worst-performing cities in Maharashtra in terms of HSRP compliance, highlighting the ongoing gap between regulation and ground-level execution.
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