MAPUSA
The process of affixing High Security Registration Plates (HSRP) has come under fire yet again, with citizens alleging harassment, mismanagement and lack of accountability from authorised dealers.
In a recent case, Joaquim Barros, a resident of Siolim-Marna, faced significant inconvenience after being sent on a wild goose chase despite receiving a confirmed appointment to fix the HSRP on his motorcycle.
Barros was issued a formal appointment letter to visit Crystal Trade Links, an authorised HSRP dealer located at Duler, Mapusa, on April 2 at 9.30 am. However, upon reaching the dealership at the scheduled time, he was told that the dealer no longer undertakes the fixing of number plates.
No service, no plate, no accountability
“I had taken half-day leave from work just to comply with the appointment and complete the process. But when I reached the location, the staff simply told me to go to a nearby mechanic to get it done,” Barros said.
“When I showed them the official receipt, which clearly had their name and address printed, they refused to take any responsibility,” he added.
According to Barros, the dealer was unwilling to explain why appointments were still being issued under their name if they had discontinued HSRP services.
“I asked them if my number plate was at least available with them. After searching for some time, they said it wasn’t and asked me to come back the next day,” he added, visibly frustrated.
Subletting & shrugging off responsibility
Barros alleged that some dealers are sub-letting HSRP work to unauthorised mechanics, resulting in confusion and customer harassment. “This is unacceptable. These dealers don’t care about the customers – they’re just passing the buck. I wasted both time and money travelling from Siolim to Mapusa for nothing,” he said.
He has since lodged a complaint with the Directorate of Transport and the Regional Transport Office (RTO) in Mapusa.
“I am also planning to raise the issue before the Consumer Conciliation Committee so others don’t go through this ordeal,” he said.
Systemic complaints mounting
Barros’ case is not an isolated one. Across Goa, vehicle owners have been raising concerns over the erratic functioning of the HSRP implementation system – ranging from non-availability of plates, last-minute cancellations and lack of updates from the official portal.
Transport department officials have previously stated that authorised dealers are responsible for fixing the plates at designated centres and that citizens should not be redirected to third-party service providers.
Consumer activists are now urging the Directorate of Transport to review the list of authorised dealers and crack down on those violating norms.
As HSRP fixing continues to be a mandatory requirement across the State, transport authorities are being urged to improve oversight, ensure service accountability and introduce a grievance redressal mechanism that works in real-time.
