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As the Odisha government is all set to start collecting fines from the people who have not fixed High Security Registration Plate (HSRP) on their vehicles with registration numbers ending with 1, 2, 3 and 4 from October 1, the long waiting period in view of Durga Puja holidays to get the registration plate has only added to the trouble for citizens.
The deadline for affixation of HSRP on the old vehicles registered prior to April 1, 2019, carrying Odisha registration mark and registration number ending with 1, 2, 3 and 4, is going to end on September 30. So, the law enforcing agencies will start enforcement activities on the fitment from October 1, said Dipti Ranjan Patra, joint commissioner transport (technical). With just a few days left before the deadline, the number of online applications for HSRP has witnessed a steep rise in the State.
Though the production of HSRP has increased due to the increase in online applications, Durga Puja holidays and huge sale of vehicles due to the festive season may delay the supply of the registration plates.
Meanwhile, the vehicle dealers in the State have increased the HSRP waiting period to 15 days from one week.
On the other hand, the State Transport Authority has left the people anxious as it clarified that there will be no further extension of the deadline to affix the HSRP.
“We are getting huge orders for HSRP since the government issued an order last week. As the festive season is approaching, the fitment centres are likely to be closed. So, we have increased the waiting period,” said Priyank Agarwal, State head of Celex Technologies HSRP vendor.
“People did not apply for HSRP on time and that's why it is now getting delayed. We will take necessary action considering the cases. I am not sure, if fine will be imposed or not for missing the deadline due to delay in getting the HSRP,” said Dipti Ranjan Patra, Joint Commissioner of State Transport Authority.
Meanwhile, people are in dismay as they are not able to book their slots for technical snags in the SIAM website. Besides, many people are getting a long waiting period due to high demands for the HSRP.
“We tried to apply for HSRP for months, but could not succeed due to technical problems in the website. The government must give us more time,” demanded Kishore Nayak, a truck owner.
“Though many people have applied for the HSRP, they have got their slot date only after the deadline. In this case, what will that person do? Should he drive or keep the vehicle at home till his slot comes,” asked Purna Chandra Barik, an autorickshaw driver.
Echoing the same opinion, Soubhagya Deo, a resident of the capital city said, “I got the HSRP for my bike easily but struggled to book the slot for my car. But, now I somehow managed to book a slot and get an appointment on October 6. But, can I drive my car between October 1 and October 6?”
While more than 50,000 online applications for HSRP are being received daily, around 13,000 number plates are being affixed. As of now, more than 12.6 lakh online applications for HSRP have been received while over 6.51 lakh vehicles have got their high-security registration plate.
