HSRP to make comeback through new contractor

WHO CRACKS THE DEAL
>> Name of Real Mazon India Limited finalised
>> Will manufacture, install the plates on vehicles
THE COST FACTOR
>> For each HSRP not available, but sources say it's expected to be competitive
MANDATORY FOR ALL
>> For all new vehicles registered from the date its implementation is notified
>> Owners of old vehicles will be given a reasonable period of time
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PROPOSAL REVIVAL
>> The HSRP proposal was revived after Goa was among five states issued notices by the Supreme Court in March this year
>> The top court questioned why the State had not yet implemented the scheme for introducing high security registration plates
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PANAJI: Nearly a decade after it was controversially shelved, the Goa government is set to implement the High Security Registration Plates for all vehicles in the State.
Top government sources said, the Transport Department has completed the tendering process and finalised Real Mazon India Limited as the firm that will manufacture and install the plates on vehicles in Goa.
The HSRP proposal was revived after Goa was among five states issued notices by the Supreme Court in March this year as to why the State had not yet implemented the scheme for introducing the high security registration plates.
Although details of the deal struck with Real Mazon India Limited in terms of cost for each HSRP were not available, the source said rates are expected to be competitive.
The compulsory fitting of HSRP on vehicles has long been controversial in Goa. At least two ministers -- current transport minister Sudin Dhavlikar and Pandurang Madkaikar -- have got embroiled in allegations of corruption and tenders for its implementation were cancelled on four occasions since 2006.
Deadlines set by the Supreme Court in the past have always got overshot due to these controversies.
This time however, the HSRPs will be made compulsory for all new vehicles registered from the date its implementation is notified. Owners of old vehicles will be given a reasonable period of time within which they will have to fit their automobiles with the HSRPs, the source added.
Meanwhile, the tender for supply of 20,000 digital meters to be fitted on taxis in Goa has run into a hurdle with the transport department flagging the issue of whether these should be compulsorily ISI certified.
A query in this regard has been raised by the Transport Department which is awaiting a clarification from the government.
If the government insists on the ISI certification than the transport department will have to scrap the process and float a fresh tender, the source said.