Andhra Pradesh - Hyderabad   

Traffic police drive: number plate makers make merry

Staff Reporter

Their business is on an upswing with the traffic police's drive against faulty number plates

GOOD FOR BUSINESS: A vehicle-owner getting his number plate changed in accordance with new specifications in Hyderabad. — Photo: G. Krishnaswamy

Hyderabad: It is boom time for number plate makers in the city. Their business is on an upswing with the traffic police launching a drive against faulty number plates. For the last one week the number of customers visiting the shops of number plate makers has more than doubled.

The maximum rush is at King Koti, which has a large number of automobile mechanics. Others in Nampally, Panjagutta, Secunderabad are also having a roaring business. According to the latest police directive, number plates should conform to the Motor Vehicle Act specifications. The letters of registration should be in English and the figures in Arabic numerals.

Huge fine

The police decision to impose a fine of Rs. 2,000 instead of the usual Rs.100 for displaying wrong number plates has only added to the rush at the number plate manufacturers. "Yesterday, I made 23 number plates, including nine of four wheelers," says Hyder, a mechanic at Panjagutta.

Many plate makers admit that the business was dull during the last couple of months. But it has picked up during the last one week after the police began issuing new guidelines for the number plates. "But many people are not aware of the changed rules and still carrying on with the old design and letter fonts," says Ramesh, a mechanic at Nampally.

New dimensions

How much do they charge? For a two wheeler, it is anything between Rs. 40 and Rs. 50 for both front and back number plates and for four wheelers a cool Rs. 250. The police have furnished new dimensions for the number plates of both two and four wheelers. "We are strictly warned against making fancy number plates," the mechanics say.

Many feel their business is poised for a further boost once the traffic cops shift their attention to faulty number plates. Right now they are after helmetless riders.

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