Jammu, July 5: Nearly 7.5 lakh vehicle owners in the state can heave a sigh of relief with the state government finally deciding to implement the High Security Registration Plates (HSRPs) scheme in Jammu and Kashmir in next 6-months or so.
The project, which remained in abeyance for past few years, may now be a reality as the State Transport Department is likely to float national-level tenders by the end of this week.
In Jammu region, there are 4,62,714 vehicles while the total number of vehicles plying in Kashmir division is 2,74,863. The tamper-proof number plates would make tracking down of stolen vehicles easier. Besides, police and other security agencies would also be equipped with devices that can read the HSRPs.
The HSRP consists of a number of parts, a Chromium-based hologram, a self-destructive sticker with the engine, chassis number, unique serial number/code etched with laser, ‘India’ scripted with a hot-stamping foil and a non-removable and non-reusable snap lock.
Being tamper-proof, HSRPs help law enforcement agencies track vehicles involved in crimes. The Government of India had brought out a notification in 2001 asking the state governments to implement the HSRP in letter and spirit.
“The implementation of the tamper proof plates would go a long way in preventing road-based crimes. Besides, it would also reduce the chances of car jacking and makes the sale and purchase of pre-owned vehicles less risky,” officials said.
Transport Commissioner and Chairman, State Transport Authority, Dr Syed Muhammad Fazlullah told Greater Kashmir, “We are in process of finalizing the technicalities of the tenders for tamper proof number plates and the tenders will be floated at national level in next few days.”
He said that the Transport Department was serious about implementation of HSRPs scheme in the state. “We sent our teams to different states where they conducted comprehensive study and survey for successful implementation of the scheme. Our officials also attended meetings with the functionaries of Ministry of Road Transport and Highways to get themselves acquainted with the whole process,” he said.
“We had sought more time to float tenders and install tamper-proof plates. They gave us time and we are shortly floating tenders while the process of installation of HSRPs will be done quickly,” he maintained.
The Supreme Court of India had recently issued contempt notice to the governments of Delhi, Punjab and Uttar Pradesh for their failure to introduce tamper-proof number plates and licenses for motor vehicles. The states likes Sikkim, Meghalaya and Goa have fully implemented the scheme.
“We are under progress and the scheme will be implemented within shortest period. We are going to implement it in letter and spirit and strict instruction has already been passed to the officials concerned. They are on the job and we are hopeful that it will be implemented in the state shortly,” Minister for Transport, Qamar Ali Akhoon, said.

Lastupdate on : Tue, 5 Jul 2011 21:30:00 Makkah time
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