HSRP Deadline Extended: Here Is The New Last Date To Install High-Security Registration Plates

Vehicle owners in Karnataka now have an additional month to install High Security Registration Plates (HSRPs) on their vehicles registered before April 1, 2019.

The new deadline date is December 31, 2024, marking the fifth extension of the compliance date, as per The New Indian Express. It comes after a request from the transport commissioner's office.

Speaking to the English daily, Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy confirmed the extension and said that it depends on the High Court's verdict expected on December 4.

The High Court is hearing a case concerning the deadline extension, fines for non-compliance, and review petitions from the HSRP Manufacturers Association of India. The association is challenging the transport department's policy of permitting only certain manufacturers to produce HSRP plates.

On the other hand, RTOs across the state have reported a surge in complaints regarding difficulties in registering for HSRPs through the VAHAN portal. Officials attributed the issue to data entry errors made in 2012 by an outsourced firm. These errors have left many vehicle owners unable to complete the registration process.

The HSRP installation for older vehicles commenced on August 18, 2023, following a transport department notification that initially set a three-month deadline. Despite multiple extensions, many vehicles are yet to comply.

An HSRP is a tamper-proof aluminium plate equipped with a chromium-based hologram of the Ashoka Chakra, a laser-engraved 12-digit alphanumeric identification number, and two snap rivets that ensure secure installation. The plates are designed to enhance vehicle identification, curb vehicle-borne crimes, and prevent number plate tampering or counterfeiting.