While a growing number of inter-state vehicles travel along the Calangute coast, many of these vehicles pose an unusual challenge as these vehicles have their registration numbers in languages other than in English.
Locals have expressed concern that many inter-state vehicles sport registration numbers in regional languages, even though the Motor Vehicle Act clearly stipulates that letters on vehicle number plate should be in English and numerals in Arabic.
“We find it difficult to understand or read these number plates. This could pose a grave threat in case such vehicles are involved in an offence. The government, especially the transport and traffic authorities, should take action against vehicles which do not have English number plates,” said Rajen Naik a local from Calangute.
Another resident, Samuel D’Souza, asked, “If a vehicle with a registration plate either in Hindi or Kannada script knocks down an elderly person, will she or he, or anyone else for that matter, be able to read the registration number? By the time a person identifies the number, the vehicle would have disappeared. Why is there no uniformity in the number plates?”
Admitting that it is against the law to have number plates in languages other than in English, to ensure uniform recognition and implementation across the country, the Calangute Traffic Cell (CTC) officers claimed that they have encountered problems when they penalise vehicle owners who violate these rules.
“Very often, owners of these vehicles insist that number plates in local languages are accepted in their respective States,” said a CTC officer.
When contacted, CTC Police Inspector Rahul Parab said, “We stop such vehicles which sport registration number plates in other languages and we challan them. However, many of these vehicle owners argue that their number plates are accepted in their respective States.”
