Odisha Transport Department cracks whip on HSRP violators; drive to be intensified

As announced, the Odisha Transport Department started cracking the whip on vehicle owners who have not affixed the High Security Registration Plates (HSRP). A massive drive has been launched across Odisha on Friday.

The RTO officials conducted a massive inspection of the vehicles coming from Khordha side towards Bhubaneswar on the National Highway. Such inspections were also carried out in different parts of the city.

Apart from HSRP, several buses were also penalised for not complying with other norms including stage-carriage permits. A senior officer said that four such buses were fined for violating permit rules.  Another Transport Department official informed that HSRP was introduced to curb the menace of vehicles running with fake registration plates. Over 37 lakh vehicles have been affixed with HSRP and around 10 lakh vehicles are yet to affix HSRP.

“We have come across instances of vehicles operating with fake registration plates and raids have been intensified and 17 cases of violation of HSRP rules have been detected in Cuttack alone. The drive will continue for three days,” the official said.

There is a penalty of Rs 5000 for not affixing HSRP.

“I have been fined Rs 5000 despite having a helmet and other documents. We were aware of the rule, but there was a huge rush for booking slots and affixing the HSRP. I am a small trader and I am not in a position to pay the amount,” said Rakesh Barik adding that the fine amount is too high.

Another commuter claimed that “When I had purchased a new car, the company had claimed it to be HSRP. But now the RTO official said that it is not HSRP and I have  been fined Rs 5000. We will bring such matter to the notice of the concerned showroom dealer.”