India, May 3 -- Despite insistence from the state transport department and an extended deadline of June 30, the installation of high-security registration plates (HSRPs) in Pune is progressing at a sluggish pace with only 140,679 vehicle owners having successfully installed new plates under the jurisdiction of the Pune Regional Transport Office (RTO) and only 274,336 appointments having been booked for installation as of April 30 this year.

The number is significantly lower as compared to the estimated 25 lakh vehicles registered in Pune district that need to comply with the HSRP mandate. Both officials and citizens are concerned about the slow pace and limited infrastructure in place for carrying out the massive exercise.

With only 125...