94% of vehicles in the district are yet to install high-security registration plates (HSRP), despite it being made mandatory across the country a year ago. According to the Regional Transport Office (RTO), 94% of vehicles in Bellary still lack the required HSRP plates, with only 17,800 of the 3,12,118 registered vehicles fitted with them. The remaining 2,94,318 vehicles are yet to comply.
The central transport department had mandated uniform number plates in August last year, giving state transport departments three months to implement the rule. However, frequent deadline extensions have led to a lack of urgency among vehicle owners in the district. Although the final deadline for installation was in August, over 2.90 lakh vehicles still need to adopt the plates.
HSRP is mandatory for vehicles purchased before 2019, with no further awareness campaigns planned. Bellary’s RTO, Srinivasgiri, urged vehicle owners to install the plates immediately, noting that the deadline for compliance has already been extended multiple times.
The Karnataka High Court has set November 20 as the hearing date for the transport department’s order restricting HSRP sales to specified manufacturers and dealers, during which no enforcement action will be taken. However, vehicles without HSRP plates will eventually face fines starting at ₹500, with subsequent violations attracting penalties of ₹1,000. During inspections, authorities will also check other vehicle documents, potentially leading to additional fines.
