Thiruvananthapuram: An internal dispute among officials has stalled the high-security registration plate (HSRP) project in Kerala, forcing vehicle owners to bear the brunt. Vehicles registered in Kerala are now facing hefty fines when crossing state borders due to the absence of these mandatory number plates.

A fine of Rs 5,000 is being imposed for violating registration regulations, and some officials are reportedly exploiting the situation for bribes. Private vehicle owners are the most affected. As per Central regulations, old vehicles must also be fitted with high-security number plates. However, due to disagreements among top officials, Kerala has not yet implemented an official mechanism to install these plates on older vehicles. Consequently, there have been no enforcement drives or fines imposed within the state.

In contrast, other states have strictly enforced the Central rule, making high-security number plates mandatory for old vehicles as well. Kerala vehicles, unaware of the requirement, have become prime targets for inspections and fines in these states.

Since 2019, new vehicles in Kerala have been issued high-security number plates directly by dealers. However, the effort to extend this rule to older vehicles has led to a major dispute. The conflict intensified between former Transport Commissioner S Sreejith and Transport Minister K B Ganesh Kumar over the tender process for HSRP implementation. With over 1.8 crore vehicles in Kerala, more than 10 companies are vying for the lucrative number plate market. The involvement of officials in these business-driven disputes has further delayed the project.

Installation possible, but at higher cost
Owners of older vehicles can install high-security number plates at their own expense. However, the lack of government-fixed rates end up paying notably more. Dealers currently charge up to Rs 1,200 per car, whereas government-regulated pricing could reduce this cost by half.