Pune RTO to expand HSRP centers to 500

Pune's Regional Transport Office (RTO) plans to increase the number of high-security registration plate (HSRP) installation centers from 125 to 500 by April 30. This move comes as citizens face long waiting times for appointments. The state government has set a deadline for HSRP installations, but many residents report being scheduled as late as July. To address this issue, the Pune RTO held a meeting on Monday. They urged officials to expand the number of centers to better serve the public. Citizens have expressed frustration with the current situation. Kailas Marathe shared that he tried to make an appointment for HSRP plates for his three vehicles on March 16 but could only find dates in July. Sanjay Jadhav also faced delays when he had to wait over four hours at a center in Moshi to install his vehicle’s HSRP plate. With over 2.5 million vehicles needing new number plates in Pune district, there is a clear demand for more installation centers. Currently, only 125 centers are approved by the RTO. The goal is to eventually reach 500 centers in Pune and nearby Pimpri-Chinchwad. Swapnil Bhosale, the deputy regional transport officer, confirmed that discussions with the authorized vendor to set up new centers are underway. He expects the number of centers to double soon, providing easier access to services for citizens. As per the RTO's guidelines, vehicles registered before April 1, 2019, must have HSRP plates installed by the April 30 deadline. Rosmerta Company has been appointed to manage the installation in Pune and 12 other RTO offices.