2 weeks Ago By Joy Sengupta
1 2 3 Pune: Applicants trying to get the new mandatory high-security registration plates (HSRP) installed for their vehicles are finding it increasingly difficult to get timely appointments, despite the extension of the deadline for the process to June 30. For instance, Kothrud resident Vinod Kulse told TOI that the closest appointment he is getting to a nearby centre for fitment is in the second week of May. "The wait is too long.
Additionally, I am out of town in May. Hence, I am still scrolling through all the registered centres in Pune to get a proper and timely appointment for an HRSP," he said. To speed things up, senior Regional Transport Office (RTO) officials told TOI that when it comes to home fixation of HSRPs, no additional cost is charged if a minimum of 25 people living in one particular locality or area opt for the service.
"The people living in a housing society or area can come together and book a home appointment, and there will be no additional charges. However, if an individual does this, there is an additional charge," Pune deputy RTO Swapnil Bhosle said. Apart from the base fees, if one wants to get the HSRP fixed at home, an additional charge of Rs125 for two-wheelers and Rs250 for four-wheelers is charged.
A resident of Camp, choosing to stay unnamed, echoed that delayed appointments are a concern. "I have been told by friends that some appointments are even running into June. I haven't taken one yet — I want to wait and watch.
It is strange that still there is only one way to apply for an HSRP. This is why the process is slow," said the working professional. State govt had earlier extended the deadline from March 30 to April 30 for vehicles registered before April 1, 2019, to avoid last-minute rush, which has now been further postponed.
For months now, vehicle owners have been raising several concerns about the HSRP acquisition process, including an unresponsive website, appointment date delays, inefficient home fitment services, and more. RTO sources said that each day, between 1,000 and 1,200 HSRPs are fixed for vehicles in Pune. In the city, a total of 2,428,589 vehicles registered before April 2019 need these HSRPs.
As per the latest figures, a little over 45,000 vehicles have been fixed with the same till date. "At this pace, it will take years before all vehicles get HSRPs. In Pune, there are 126 registered centres for the installation.
RTO needs to do two things — increase centres to 300 or more and give people more alternatives to get the job done," said Rohit Sadashiv Palkar, a working professional who lives in Kondhwa. RTO officials said they have already asked the company concerned to increase the number centres. "They assured us that the number of centres will be increased.
We will intimate applicants accordingly. There are still many centres where appointment dates are available in early or mid-April," an RTO official claimed. Pune: Applicants trying to get the new mandatory high-security registration plates (HSRP) installed for their vehicles are finding it increasingly difficult to get timely appointments, despite the extension of the deadline for the process to June 30.
For instance, Kothrud resident Vinod Kulse told TOI that the closest appointment he is getting to a nearby centre for fitment is in the second week of May. "The wait is too long. Additionally, I am out of town in May.
Hence, I am still scrolling through all the registered centres in Pune to get a proper and timely appointment for an HRSP," he said. To speed things up, senior Regional Transport Office (RTO) officials told TOI that when it comes to home fixation of HSRPs, no additional cost is charged if a minimum of 25 people living in one particular locality or area opt for the service. "The people living in a housing society or area can come together and book a home appointment, and there will be no additional charges.
However, if an individual does this, there is an additional charge," Pune deputy RTO Swapnil Bhosle said. Apart from the base fees, if one wants to get the HSRP fixed at home, an additional charge of Rs125 for two-wheelers and Rs250 for four-wheelers is charged. A resident of Camp, choosing to stay unnamed, echoed that delayed appointments are a concern.
"I have been told by friends that some appointments are even running into June. I haven't taken one yet — I want to wait and watch. It is strange that still there is only one way to apply for an HSRP.
This is why the process is slow," said the working professional. State govt had earlier extended the deadline from March 30 to April 30 for vehicles registered before April 1, 2019, to avoid last-minute rush, which has now been further postponed. For months now, vehicle owners have been raising several concerns about the HSRP acquisition process, including an unresponsive website, appointment date delays, inefficient home fitment services, and more.
RTO sources said that each day, between 1,000 and 1,200 HSRPs are fixed for vehicles in Pune. In the city, a total of 2,428,589 vehicles registered before April 2019 need these HSRPs. As per the latest figures, a little over 45,000 vehicles have been fixed with the same till date.
"At this pace, it will take years before all vehicles get HSRPs. In Pune, there are 126 registered centres for the installation. RTO needs to do two things — increase centres to 300 or more and give people more alternatives to get the job done," said Rohit Sadashiv Palkar, a working professional who lives in Kondhwa.
RTO officials said they have already asked the company concerned to increase the number centres. "They assured us that the number of centres will be increased. We will intimate applicants accordingly.
There are still many centres where appointment dates are available in early or mid-April," an RTO official claimed..
