Bids Now Accepted On Personalised Number Plates

The AP State Road Transport Corporation has decided to float fresh tenders for making high-security vehicle personalised registration number plates in the state as per the recent directions of the Supreme Court. The process is likely to be completed by February 29.

Earlier, the state government had entrusted the task of making the number plates to APSRTC to help it come out of the losses. Speaking to Express, RTC officials said that it divided the work into four packages, invited tenders on October 8 and completed the task on December 8. Three companies participated in the tenders. Of them, Bangalore-based 3M Ltd, which quoted Rs 62.40 paise per each flank plate, won the contract. But the process was stalled as the other two companies moved the Supreme Court alleging that the state government had not followed the guidelines.

The apex court found fault in the government inviting the tender in four packages and not following rules and guidelines given and asked the RTC to call fresh tenders in one package. It also directed RTC officials to file an affidavit in the court in four weeks explaining the reasons for not implementing the high-security vehicle registration number plates scheme in time. RTC managing director B Prasada Rao said they would comply with the court’s instructions on fresh tenders and file an affidavit by Feb 29.

The HSRNP consists of a chromium-based hologram, a self-destructive sticker with the engine and chassis numbers, a unique serial number/code etched with laser, ‘India’ scripted with a hot-stamping foil and a non-removable and non-reusable snap lock. The tamper-proof and high-security number plate will make it difficult for anyone to steal it.

The APSRTC plans to fix the new number plates to all vehicles in a phased manner and complete it in about two years.