PANJIM: Due to the rising COVID-19 cases and certain places observing lockdown, the fitment of High Security Registration Plates (HSRP) at eight out of 10 centres has been temporarily suspended.
Manufacturer and supplier of the HSRP M/s Real Mazon India Pvt Ltd took the decision in consultation with the government. The two major fitment centres at Porvorim and Arlem continue to operate even as its functioning in the coming days will be decided based on the COVID-19 situation in the State.
“Eight smaller fitment centres have suspended operations while the two bigger centres at Porvorim and Arlem are functioning. Many places are observing lockdown and half of them (staff) have not been able to reach for work. No public transport is plying from these lockdown villages,” senior official with the agency Kate Kayani informed Herald.
Likewise several vehicle owners also expressed their inability to avail the service on their appointment day due to the prevailing situation. As such, the decision was announced after consultation with the State government.
“Besides the transport issues, it is also a risk as cases are discovered. Therefore in the interest and safety of both, staff and the general public, the smaller centres will not operate till further notice. But the data entry operators are operating at RTOs,” Kayani added.
The agency has also begun sending out text messages to all vehicle owners, whose appointments are scheduled at any of these eight centres, about the postponement.
Less than a month ago, the agency had resumed HSRP fitment on vehicles from May 18 with preference being given to huge backlog created due to the lockdown.
The vendors, who have their representatives at every RTO, started giving new appointments since early May and the agency had already announced doing away with month-wise schedule of vehicle series.
In the wake of the lockdown due to COVID-19, the installation of HSRP as well booking appointments had stalled since last week of March.
