Mumbai: Vehicle users will soon have to apply online to get registration plates for their cars and bikes in a standardised format. According to the Regional Transport Office (RTO), the tender to replace existing vehicle plates with high security number plates will be floated next month, and the work for the same will start from June.
According to the RTO’s plans, vehicle users will have to make payments online and book appointments to get the registration plates changed.
The transport office was working on the proposal for four months. “We have worked on the issue to make it 100% successful for months, and visited four States to make all aspects clear,” an RTO official said.
The RTO has a target of five years to standardise all vehicle registration plates. It will be compulsory for all vehicles to have high security plates. There are 2.75 crore vehicles in the State, and Mumbai alone has approximately 30 lakh vehicles.
The transport office is now searching for locations to set up points where vehicle users can get the plates changed. “We have decided not to accept any cash payments for changing the number plates. People will have to book a slot on the RTO’s website transport.maharashtra.gov.in by paying ₹150 online. They will then have to visit the point at the specified time and get the number plates changed within minutes,” the official said.
The RTO will also carry out checks at different locations to ensure that vehicles have standardised number plates.
Transport Commissioner Praveen Gedam said, “High security number plates are mandatory. There are directions from the Supreme Court to this effect as well. We will float the tender soon. This will ensure that vehicles across the State have standardised number plates, after which Automatic Number Plate Recognition can be used at toll plaza and other places.”