Patna, Feb. 16: The process of manufacturing and issuing high security registration plates to all new vehicles in the state would commence from March 31.

The state transport department has entered into an agreement with Delhi-based M/s DD Industries Limited for setting up the system for manufacturing and issuing the number plates in the state.

At a news meet in the capital today, state transport minister Brishen Patel said: “According to the directives of the Supreme Court, we have selected M/s DD Industries through tendering process for supply and installation of high security number plates in the state. The firm would start issuing high security number plates to all new vehicles from March 31, 2012. Moreover, the process of replacement of existing registration plates with the new ones would start from June 15, 2012.” He added all costs regarding infrastructure, manufacturing and embossing stations would be borne by the selected company.

Speaking on the occasion, R.K. Mahajan, secretary, state transport department, said: “The selected firm would set up its embossing or affixation station either on the premises of the district transport office or a premise given to them by the transport department. Owners of all new vehicles sold on or after March 31 would be required to take their smart registration cards to the respective affixation station and the vehicle would be issued the high security number plates within 48 hours. If the affixation station fails to fix the number plates within 48 hours, it would be fined a penalty of Rs 200 per day. Moreover, existing vehicles would be issued notice for getting their old number plates replaced by high security number plates within a stipulated time-frame.” He added that there are around 30 lakh vehicles in the state.

Sources said the selected firm has been asked to replace the number plates of the existing vehicles with high security number plates within two years from the date of agreement. “High security number plates are tamper-proof and self-destructive in case of attempts of tampering. It would keep a check on vehicle thefts in the state,” said Rahul Singh, state transport commissioner.

On August 30, 2011, the apex court had directed all states, which did not have in place the scheme of providing high security number plates and licences for vehicles, to complete the process within eight weeks. The state transport department, on September 21, issued tenders for inviting bids from interested manufactures for establishing complete infrastructure to manufacture and provide/fix high security number plates for all vehicles in the state.

High security number plates display the registration mark as specified under Rule 50 of Central Motor Vehicle Rules, 1989 as amended and related orders issued by ministry of road transport and highways in 2001, 2005 and 2006.