The back-to-back holidays on April 29 and 30, and May 1 would be a delight for most but the state transport department is probably ruing the fact. The department will miss the April 30 deadline set by the Supreme Court to start issuing high security number plates (HSRP) to vehicles.

The department, in the second week of April, entered into an agreement with Agro Impex (I) Private Limited to start the HSRP system to meet the deadline fixed by the apex court. Agro Impex was supposed to set up affixation stations at Patna, Gaya, Darbhanga and Bhagalpur and an embossing station at Gaya for 10 districts.

As April 29 and 30, and May 1 are government holidays, the department had issued directives to start the process from April 28. But none of the representatives of the firm reported to the district transport officers (DTOs) of the four districts and consequently none of the stations have been finalised.

The DTOs claimed that commencement of the HSRP system within the stipu- lated deadline was next to impossible.

“We have started preparations for installation of HSRPs by allocating a counter for the payment of fees at the DTO office at Biscomaun Towers. We have also identified a place near Zero Mile on Patna Bypass Road for setting up the HSRP affixation unit. But no representatives of Agro Impex have approached us,” said Harihar Prasad, the Patna DTO.

Gaya DTO Surendra Jha told The Telegraph on Friday: “We have identified a land near Gaya Bypass Road for setting up affixation station and a money collection point for making applications for HSRPs at the Gaya collectorate, but none of the representatives of Agro Impex have communicated with us till date.”

Darbhanga DTO Abdul Rahman said: “We have identified a few places in Darbhanga to set up the affixation unit, but neither Agro Impex nor its representatives have communicated with us.”

Bhagalpur DTO Shiv Shankar Mishra said: “We have identified a place for setting up the affixation station. However, the firm is yet to contact us.”

State transport commissioner Rahul Singh said: “The representatives of the firm have not made any communication till date, but they might visit the districts in a day or two to ensure that the process starts from May 4, at least. If the delay is contempt of the Supreme Court ruling, then Agro Impex (I) Private Limited would be held responsible because we have fulfilled the responsibility from our end. The company would have to pay penalty for deferring the stipulated timeline,” said Singh.