High Security Cherished Number Plates

High security number plates for vehicles are back in news. The long-pending proposal is likely to be implemented by the State government within the next two-three months.The proposal was discussed during a joint meeting of the officials of the GHMC, Police, Transport and APSRTC convened by Transport Minister B Satyanarayana who directed the officials to submit relevant proposals at the earliest.Initially, the number plates would be made compulsory for new vehicles.

Some time would be given in case of existing vehicles for the changeover. The government has decided to ask the APSRTC to procure and provide the number plates at a subsidised price of Rs 200-Rs 500 each.The high security number plates are priced around Rs 1,400 each in the States like Goa where they are already in use. The plates with a chromium hologram will have registration and engine numbers embossed on them. They help in detection of stolen vehicles. The RTC (Road Transport Corporation) will set up 46 centres across the city to affix the number plates. The centres, in association with the Road Transport Authority (RTA), will offer services like computerised vehicle fitness checking and driving school. Briefing reporters after the meeting, Satyanarayana said the RTC was asked to run on compressed natural gas (CNG) at least one-third of the 6,000 buses it was planning to purchase over the next 36 months.

Conversion of the existing fleet to CNG was also proposed. Currently, about 100 CNG buses were being run in the State. More CNG filling stations would be set up across the State, particularly in Hyderabad.