HSRP Number Plate in Andaman and Nicobar Islands

Published on 4 Oct, 2024, 5:41 AM IST

Updated on 4 Oct, 2024, 5:50 AM IST

Team Ackodrive

8 min read

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High-security registration plates are one of the most significant initiatives taken by the government in terms of vehicle safety and for developing better vehicle identification. Applied by MoRTH, the HSRP system was adopted to address problems such as vehicle theft and make it easier to track or identify vehicles. As of late 2023, vehicles registered before April 1, 2019, were mandatorily required to fit these plates in vehicles. However, compliance has yet to pick up pace, as only a small percentage of vehicles are fitted with these plates.

The following article deals with the features of HSRPs, procedures for getting them installed in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, their costs, authorised vendors, enforcement, reception by people, and some possible future developments.

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Contents

Legal Provision and its Implementation

The HSRP system was introduced to have a uniform series of vehicle registration plates all over India, besides enhancing vehicle security. While many states implemented it in 2019, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands started a little later than others because of the logistics involved.

These, according to the guidelines laid down by MoRTH, shall be fitted in all vehicles registered before April 1, 2019. Many extensions have been made to the deadline due to the peculiar problems of far-flung areas like Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

HSRP Number Plate in Andaman & Nicobar Islands: Features

These High-Security Registration Plates come embossed with many high-security features that would frustrate counterfeiting attempts and make the identification of vehicles easier. These are:

Hot-stamped Chromium-based Hologram

Each HSRP consists of a hot-stamped 3D image of chromium-based fabric that inserts the picture of the Ashoka Chakra. This hologram forms part of the security of the plate and is irreversible; it gets damaged if removed. Under ultraviolet light, it becomes visible, thus helping law enforcement verify the genuineness of the plate even in low-light conditions.

Laser-etched Permanent Identification Number (PIN)

A unique Permanent Identification Number is laser-etched on each HSRP. The PIN acts as a serial number and is linked to the vehicle's registration in a central database for tracing and identification of vehicles. This feature is useful during criminal investigations and for traffic enforcement.

Tamper-proof Snap Lock

The HSRPs will come fitted with tamper-proof snap locks, which will not permit the removal or replacement of plates without authorisation. Thus, such attachment of plates to the vehicle will prevent plate theft to a large extent and improve the security of vehicle registration.

Reflective Sheeting

The reflective sheeting in HSRPs improves visibility during nights and poor weather conditions. This makes the vehicle more visible to other drivers and law enforcement authorities, hence contributing to traffic management and enforcement.

Procedure to Avail HSRP in Andaman and Nicobar Islands

Here are the steps for both offline and online procedures to obtain HSRP in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands:

Online Application Procedure

Vehicle owners should visit the official portal of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands for HSRP.
Document Submission: Documents which shall be required will include the Registration Certificate of the vehicle, Proof of Identity, and Address Proof.
Make the Payment: The fee can be paid online by the owner using credit/debit cards or even net banking/ UPI.
Avail Appointment: Once the payment has been made, log in to the portal and book your installation appointment.
Installation: An appointment will be booked and sent to the applicant through an authorised installation centre for fixing HSRP. Visit the centre on the mentioned date and get your HSRP fixed on the vehicle.

Offline Application Procedure

The owner may apply for HSRP through chosen Territorial Transport Workplaces or at a few authorised establishment centres.
Submit Documents: The RC, proof of identity, and address proof may be presented at the centre.
Payment: The fees may be paid in cash or by card at the installation centre.
Avail Appointment: Upon payment, a receipt including details like date, time, and location will be provided for your HSRP installation.
Installation: Once the instalment is made, an establishment arrangement will be created, and during that visit, the HSRP will be fitted. The installation normally takes about 15-20 minutes. After installation, the vehicle owner gets a certificate of compliance that the vehicle abides by the HSRP.

HSRP Fees in Andaman and Nicobar Islands

The fee for HSRPs differs according to the type of vehicle:

Two-Wheelers

Rs. 300 – Rs. 400

Four-Wheelers

Rs. 600 – Rs. 1,100

Empanelled Vendors and Installation Centres

For easy distribution and installation, several empanelled vendors and installation centres across the Andaman and Nicobar Islands distribute and install HSRPs.

Prominent vendors include:

Rosmerta Technologies: The company has a pan-India network from Andaman and Nicobar Islands to every nook and corner, and the installation centres also offer services related to HSRP in each installation centre.
Celex Technologies: The firm is well known for its manufacturing and installation of HSRC. Celex Technologies has installation centres spread all over the region. For more information, vehicle owners are suggested to visit the official website.
M/s Link Utsav Pvt. Ltd: Under its umbrella, it contains several installation centres in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands that aid in easy access to availing the services for HSRP.
Installation Centres: The vendors and centres are located at strategic points to ensure accessibility to all vehicle owners across the islands. Vehicle owners are provided with the choice to book online through the respective vendor’s official website or offline by visiting the installation centre, at their convenience.

Vehicle owners are suggested to visit the Andaman and Nicobar Island Transport Department’s official website or reach out to their local RTO to adhere to HSRP regulations.

HSRP Number Plate in Andaman and Nicobar Islands: Penalties and Compliance

In a move geared toward ensuring adherence to these HSRP regulations, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands have introduced some fines against non-compliance. In this regard, vehicle owners who fail to fix these HSRPs within the stipulated deadlines will face fines of up to Rs. 5,000 to Rs. 10,000. The fines can even be higher in cases of repeated offences, which also include the impounding of the vehicle.

The local transport authorities, with the help of the police department, have been regularly checking the vehicles to try to maintain the HSRP rules. This has increased the rate of compliance many times and has also concurrently helped reduce the crime rate related to vehicles in the city.

Public Response and Challenges

The introduction of HSRPs has received mixed responses in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. While many vehicle owners admitted to the improved security and facilitation of vehicle identification, others shared views on cost and problems in installation. The local authorities faced several problems in the initial implementation, like long waiting periods and delays in the availability of plates due to the remoteness of Andaman and Nicobar Islands. The government has responded to the situation by extending deadlines till August 31, 2024, increasing the number of authorised centres, and running publicity campaigns. These steps have made the public reception much better and the implementation process smoother.

Benefits of HSRP Number Plate in Andaman & Nicobar Islands

High Security Registration Plates (HSRPs) offer several key benefits for vehicle owners in the Andaman & Nicobar Islands, enhancing security and ensuring compliance with national regulations:

Enhanced Vehicle Security: HSRPs are designed with advanced security features such as tamper-proof locks and a laser-etched unique identification number, which make it significantly harder for criminals to duplicate or tamper with the plates. This reduces the risk of vehicle theft and misuse.
Compliance with Legal Requirements: HSRPs are mandatory across India, including the Andaman & Nicobar Islands. Ensuring your vehicle is equipped with an HSRP helps you avoid fines and penalties while complying with national road safety regulations.
Uniformity and Standardisation: HSRPs maintain a consistent design, font, and layout across all vehicles, which aids in quick and accurate vehicle identification by law enforcement. This uniformity enhances the overall effectiveness of vehicle tracking and management systems.
Improved Road Safety: The reflective materials used in HSRPs improve the visibility of the vehicle number plate, particularly at night or in low-light conditions, contributing to better road safety.
Deterrence Against Fraud: The unique features of HSRPs, including the chromium-based hologram and the non-reusable snap locks, help prevent the use of counterfeit plates, thereby reducing the potential for vehicle-related fraud and illegal activities.
Environmental Compliance: HSRPs include colour-coded stickers that indicate the vehicle's fuel type (e.g., blue for petrol/CNG, orange for diesel). This helps in the enforcement of environmental regulations and quick identification of vehicles based on their emissions category.

Future of HSRP in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands

The future of HSRP within the Andaman and Nicobar Islands appears promising as plans for integration with advanced technologies of Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tags get underway. This shall be an endeavour for real-time vehicle tracking to enhance traffic management. Moreover, the HSRP data is proposed to be linked with databases on insurance and pollution control records. This will help create a comprehensive vehicle information system, further enhance the road safety and security aspects related to vehicles, and allow much easier administration for vehicle owners.

Conclusion

HSRPs are one of the radical steps to standardise vehicle safety and its registration across the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. It shall guarantee that issues regarding vehicle theft and misidentification are sorted at the root for the assurance of safer roads and more efficient traffic management. Though the initial difficulties existed, continuous improvisations and further integrations of technology into the HSRP system give more scope for its development. With ACKO Drive, you enjoy fast, cost-effective, and transparent vehicle related services. Make your vehicle compliant today!