HYDERABAD: Come June, new vehicles will be given a different set of numbers, unlike the current set of alphanumeric numbers. In Telangana, the new registration number will not just be transition from AP to TG, but even district codes are likely to change along with the state code.Transport department officials said after the formation of a new state, the Union ministry of road transport would issue a notification sanctioning a state code (example: AP, TN, MH). After that, the state government has to work out district codes by amending the Motor Vehicle Rules. As of now, there are 38 codes in 23 districts with Hyderabad, Visakhapatnam, Krishna, Ranga Reddy and a few other districts getting multiple codes.
"As district codes are given in alphabetical order both in Telangana and the residuary AP, a revised district code has to be worked out. It all depends on the policy of the new governments. As there is talk that in Telangana that reorgainsation of existing 10 districts may take place, these decisions will have a direct impact," a senior transport department official told TOI.
In the registration number, the first two alphabets stand for the state code, then two numerals denote the district code followed by the unique vehicle number. All these issues require detailed discussion involving police as security would be given top priority in the backdrop of misuse of number plates in the past leading to major crimes.
The official said the existing district codes after bifurcation of the state would become meaningless. For instance, the Nizamabad district code is 25, Nalgonda 24, Medak 23 and Mahbubnagar 22. These codes would become irrelevant after the split. Also, the most sought after '9' of Khairatabad might also become history in the changed scenario.
To begin with, the revised registration numbers could be given to newly-registered vehicles, whereas for the nearly one crore old vehicles, it could be done at the time of affixing the high security registration plate (HSRP). The HSRP has to be affixed before December, 2015.
However, there is a hitch. The HSRP plates affixed on vehicles in the last five months cannot be replaced. "Many issues may crop up once the new code comes into force, and the nitty-gritty of these can be resolved by the new governments in the two states and their police" the officials added.
