High Security Registration Plates drive in South & West Sikkim

GANGTOK, 1 SEPT.: In an attempt to give momentum to the ongoing process of replacing the old system of number plates with High Security Registration Plates (HSRP) in all kinds of vehicles, the state transport department would soon set up HSRP affixation stations at Jorethang, Geyzing and Mangan in south, west and north districts
respectively.
Earlier, both embossing and affixation of HSRPs were done at a centre in Gangtok. The act is seen as the transport department's move to minimise the rush for the affixation of number plates in Gangtok.
The new registration system of HSRPs has a different codified number for all four districts in Sikkim. Vehicle of the East district would start with SK 01, while those from the west, north and south districts would bear SK 02, SK 03 and SK 04 respectively.
According to an official notification, all new vehicles would have to affix new HSRPs at the time of their registration. It is also informed that no registration document would be issued unless the HSRP is obtained by the owner.
To ensure smooth replacement of old registration plates in already registered vehicles, the transport department has decided to issue HSRPs in a phased manner in Sikkim. It has been notified that the replacement of number plates in the SK 01 series comprising of two wheelers would be completed within June next year. All types of private vehicles with older numbers in the SK 02 series would be replaced by HSRPs between July 2009 and December 2009. On the other hand, other private vehicles with number plates in the SK 02 series would be completed within January 2010 to June 2010. Goods carriers and trucks with the SK 03 series and taxi vehicles with the SK 04 number series would be replaced with HSRPs by June 2010.
The Supreme Court on 5 May had served a three months’ deadline to all the state governments and Union territories to install the high security registration plates (HSRPs) to their motor vehicles. West Bengal has been exempted from the directive. Earlier the state government had introduced the HSRPs from 14 October, 2008 by replacing the old system of number plates. The act is seen as the Centre's move to cut down the use of motor vehicles in the growing menace of crime and terrorist activities in the country. The new system, being highly technical, leaves little room for the terrorists or car thieves to take advantage. An HSRP is a solid aluminum plate and reflective sheets that are visible from a minimum distance of 200m. To denote national identity and ensure standardisation, the plates also bear the letters IND in blue.
To avoid counterfeiting, there is also a chromium-based hologram on the plates. These HSRPs can only be installed at the SNT Terminus in Gangtok. Similarly a third registration mark affixed on the windshield of the vehicle is a self-reflective chromium-based hologram sticker with a seven-digit laser code c ontaining the engine number and the chassis number.