Tamil Nadu - Madurai   

Here, there is no room for creativity

T. Saravanan

NEW LOOK: A painter rewriting the number plate of a two-wheeler on Panagal Road in Madurai on Tuesday. — Photo: G.Moorthy

MADURAI: Impressively designed number plates and creatively written registration numbers are not new to this place.

The catchword `to look different' has driven many vehicle users go crazy as they let loose their creativity when it comes to writing registration numbers on the number plates of their vehicles.

Some of the vehicle owners even go a step further. Just to show their propensity for the Tamil language they translate the numerals into Tamil and inscribe them on the plates. It makes life hard for the law-enforcing agencies as they find it difficult to locate the numbers.

All such practices have come to a standstill now with the Transport Department clamping a blanket ban on such things and has laid out specifications for number plates and writing of registration numbers.

Strict enforcement of this rule has forced the vehicle users to change their fancy inscriptions and number plates.

Cashing in on the urgency, a group of painters has started rewriting the number plates of vehicles. Not all of them are professional painters.

"This is an occasion, where we can earn something. It takes a minimum of five to 10 minutes to rewrite a number plate. We charge Rs.50 for two-wheelers and Rs.85 for three and four-wheelers. But the charge varies," says P. Ramiah, an unemployed youth who is involved in this work.

Such groups can be spotted at many places in the city.

M. Rajkumar, an employee of a private concern, says: "Since the numbers are being painted, it takes time to dry. I have been asked to leave my vehicle here as I was told it would take a minimum of 30 to 40 minutes for the paint to get dry. This is the only drawback. It may not be possible for many to wait."

Awareness to rewrite the registration numbers on the plates of the vehicles conforming to the specifications, as laid out by the Transport Department, has increased among the public.

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