TEAM HERALD
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PANJIM: With the Goa State Works Board giving its green signal to the implementation of high security registration plates (HSRP), the State government is in process of drafting Notice Inviting Tenders (NIT), the fourth time in the last three years.
Speaking to reporters, Transport Minister and acting Chief Minister Ramakrishna Sudin Dhavalikar said that government will go ahead with HSRP in the State as it has to abide by Supreme Court directives.
“We cannot not have HSRP on vehicles in Goa,” he said.
Dhavalikar said that GSWB, which was not consulted in the past over the project, has approved implementation of HSRP and has asked the department to go ahead at the earliest.
“We are in process of drafting fresh tender document. Will ensure that the interest of each section, painters, transporters are taken into account,” he said.
Sources revealed that only Indian companies will be given preference. Like earlier, the fresh tender document will also omit the clause of compulsory operation in five countries. The price of plates would be reduced by almost 50 percent from what was charged earlier.
The motorcycle plates will be charged Rs 550, three-wheeler Rs 650, four-wheeler Rs 1200 and six- wheeler Rs 1250.
The government, over the last three years had canceled the HSRP contract thrice, following public opposition and technical mistakes. Shimnit Utsch, the company was awarded the first contract in 2008. Their contract was terminated in 2010 following glaring irregularities in the contract.
Over one lakh vehicles had fitted HSRP between 2008 to 2010.
The department opened a fresh tenders in 2011 and Delhi based Utsav Technology was shortlisted, however the same was also set aside.
Though new tenders were opened in early 2013, government failed to accept the bids due to technical faults.
