The illegal plates undermine the very purpose of HSRP, which is to create a secure, standardised system for vehicle identification
Despite directives issued by the Assam Transport Department in 2017, requiring all vehicle showrooms to deliver new vehicles only after fitting High-Security Registration Plates (HSRP), enforcement remains lax. Customers continue to take delivery of vehicles without the mandated plates, reflecting poorly on both the Transport Department and Assam Police.
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A troubling trend has emerged where new vehicles are routinely seen on city roads without proper registration plates. The lapses in enforcement are not just administrative oversights, but a clear violation of the Motor Vehicles Act, leaving the streets riddled with vehicles that flaunt temporary numbers or even flashy, illegal plates.
A resident of Guwahati’s Six mile area, who recently bought a vehicle from a prominent showroom on VIP Road near Sixmile, revealed the systemic loophole. “The showroom told me they needed more time to fix the number plates, so they delivered the vehicle with a temporary number on paper. The registration is done, but the plates are delayed,” he shared.
Even more alarming, he added, “I have been driving around Guwahati without a number plate, and neither the police nor Transport Department officials have ever stopped me.” This statement underscores a glaring lack of checks by the authorities.
According to a senior official at the Registration and Licensing District Transport Office (DTO), the onus of enforcement lies with the police. “It’s the police’s responsibility to act against vehicles plying without number plates,” he stated, adding that showroom delays in providing HSRP often lead customers to demand delivery without the plates, despite it being illegal.
Meanwhile, the police point fingers back at the Transport Department. A senior traffic official clarified, “We penalise vehicles without registration. But for vehicles with registration slips but no HSRP, it is the Transport Department’s duty to ensure compliance.”
The HSRP system was introduced in Assam in June 2012, with a mandate for full compliance by June 2014. The initiative aimed to curb vehicle-related crimes through uniform and secure number plates equipped with advanced features like tamper-proof stickers and laser-etched codes.
While the initial phase saw vehicles retrofitted with HSRP, enforcement soon waned. By 2017, the Transport Department directed dealerships not to release new vehicles without the plates. Dealers were also equipped with HSRP installation machines. Yet, the loopholes in implementation persist.
A source within the DTO revealed a critical lapse in policy. “Initially, registration certificates (RC) were issued only after HSRP installation. But later, this rule was diluted. Now, as long as the customer shows proof of payment for HSRP, they receive their RCs,” the source said.
This policy change has created a significant discrepancy between the number of HSRP payments recorded and the actual installations. “Agents bring in bulk RC applications for vehicle owners after showing payment challans, but many of these vehicles are never fitted with HSRP,” the source added.
Adding to the problem, the streets of Guwahati are increasingly populated with new vehicles flaunting illegal fancy number plates. “It’s become a fashion trend,” a DTO enforcement official noted, lamenting the lack of manpower to conduct effective checks.
These illegal plates undermine the very purpose of HSRP, which is to create a secure, standardised system for vehicle identification. “We need coordinated efforts between the police and Transport Department to crack down on such violations,” the official added.
The Motor Vehicles Act prescribes steep fines for non-compliance with HSRP norms. Offenders can be fined up to Rs. 5,000 for the first offence, with subsequent violations attracting penalties of Rs. 10,000. However, enforcement on the ground remains weak, with minimal action against violators.
“The lack of manpower and coordination between departments means drives against vehicles without HSRP are rarely conducted,” a source in the DTO’s Enforcement branch admitted.
The public has its share of grievances. In remote areas, access to authorised HSRP installation centres remains limited, forcing many vehicle owners to travel long distances. Counterfeit HSRP plates have also flooded the market, luring unsuspecting customers with cheaper, but non-compliant options.
“There’s little awareness about the benefits of HSRP. People think it’s just another expense,” said a dealer in Adabari.
Delays in securing appointments for HSRP installation are another issue. While the Transport Department has increased the number of centres, demand still outpaces supply, resulting in long wait times for customers.
When implemented effectively, HSRP can transform vehicle security and road safety. These plates are designed with high-quality reflective materials for better visibility, even in low-light conditions, and their uniformity simplifies traffic management and law enforcement.
Additionally, the unique codes embedded in HSRP plates enable efficient vehicle tracking, aiding in the recovery of stolen vehicles and preventing fraud. Aligning with national regulations, Assam’s adoption of HSRP also promotes consistency across India’s vehicle registration system.
Yet, these potential benefits remain largely unrealised in Assam due to poor implementation and enforcement.
To address the backlog, the Kamrup (Metro) DTO earlier made HSRP available at six centres, including major dealerships like Ojha Hyundai in Basistha and Seth Automobiles in Athgaon. Now, it is available in almost every dealership. Vehicle owners are urged to comply promptly, with on-the-spot fines of Rs. 1,000 imposed on violators.
Yet, even these efforts fall short of tackling the widespread non-compliance. A significant number of private, commercial, and government vehicles still evade the HSRP mandate, highlighting the failure of authorities to enforce their own rules effectively.
The ambitious vision of HSRP in Assam—a state with its unique challenges—has been reduced to a piecemeal effort marred by inefficiency and indifference. As vehicles with temporary numbers, fancy plates, and no HSRP roam the streets unchecked, the initiative’s core objectives—enhanced security, better traffic management, and crime prevention—remain a distant dream.
For Assam to achieve full compliance, the Transport Department and police must shed their blame game, enforce existing regulations stringently, and invest in long-term solutions. Until then, the roads of Assam will remain a glaring testament to administrative failure.
