Pune: Just a week remains for the June 30 deadline to kick in for the installation of High-Security Registration Plates (HSRPs) on vehicles registered before April 1, 2019, and the demand for counterfeit HSRP lookalikes has surged amid poor appointment and fitment rates.Vendors said orders for fake HSRPs have nearly doubled over the last 10-12 days as vehicle owners rush to avoid penalties. From July 1, vehicles without HSRPs will attract a Rs1,000 fine and several RTO-related services will be denied, according to the state transport department.“The last time sales shot up was last year. But the deadline was extended and demand returned to normal. This time, however, it appears unlikely that the deadline will be pushed further as fines have already been announced,” a number plate seller from Ghorpade Peth told TOI, adding, “On average, we used to receive five to six orders a day. Now the figure has crossed 15.”The surge comes at a time when HSRP compliance remains low. In Pune, only 9.42 lakh of the 24.28 lakh vehicles requiring HSRPs have completed fitment. Across Maharashtra, more than two crore vehicles need the tamper-proof plates, but only a little over one crore appointments have been booked and around 95 lakh fitments completed so far.Vendors said the fake plates closely resemble genuine HSRPs but lack the unique identification code embedded in the original plates. “The demand is entirely customer-driven. The plates look identical to genuine HSRPs but do not carry the special code. Many vehicle owners complain that getting an appointment takes time and fitment slots are not immediately available. Since the plates look the same, many believe the chances of being caught are minimal,” another seller from the area said.Meanwhile, authorised fitment centres said they are struggling with a different problem — vehicle owners missing their scheduled appointments. A representative of Vishrantwadi-based Bike World Auto Service, an authorised HSRP fitment centre, said several applicants who booked appointments through the official process are yet to turn up. “Many plates are already ready with us, but vehicle owners do not come on the scheduled date. Some call and say they will visit later, but even then many fail to show up. With the deadline approaching and an extension appearing unlikely, enquiries from such customers have increased. However, fresh bookings at our centre are still not very high,” the representative said.Some vehicle owners claimed that booking appointments through the official portal remains cumbersome. “I tried booking once, but the website was very slow. After that, I bought a lookalike HSRP for Rs400. There are so many vehicles on the road that I doubt I will be caught. Besides, I do not have any immediate work at RTO,” said a Kothrud resident, requesting anonymity.Pune deputy RTO Swapnil Bhosale urged motorists to opt for genuine HSRPs. “People should take this seriously and obtain HSRPs through the authorised channel. It will save them from future complications. As of now, we have not received any communication regarding an extension of the deadline,” he said.Another transport department official said enforcement against counterfeit plates will begin soon. “Random inspections will be carried out and shops selling fake HSRPs will also be checked. Appropriate action will be taken. Vehicle owners should remember that multiple extensions have already been granted since Dec 2024,” the official said.
