HYDERABAD:Nearly 16 months after the birth of the new state, the Telangana government has decided to do away with the AP code in registration numbers of vehicles registered prior to the formation of the state. However, the alphabetical series and the four-digit number will remain the same, said an order issued by the state government on Thursday.
The decision would leave lakhs of vehicle owners disgruntled as the registration numbers of around 74.7 lakh vehicles, which were registered in the 10 Telangana districts of erstwhile AP State, need to be changed.
It means these vehicle owners have to cough up a few extra bucks to get a new registration certificate (RC). However, Transport department officials said the doubts regarding whether the vehicle owners have to pay for new RC will be cleared once the guidelines are issued.
Though the government had been mulling over the proposal since the formation of the state, the idea was put on hold due to public outcry. However, the alphabetical series, and the four digit number would remain the same, said the order. ‘The order expects the process to be completed within four months.’
Principal secretary of Transport department Sunil Sharma issued GO No 44, which stated that the change is brought in to bring conformity with the allotted group of letters assigned by Government of India.
Officials of transport department said that in all probability High Security Registration Plates will be suggested.
“We will upload the new numbers online. People can take print out and carry it along with the old registration certificate, till a new one is issued,” said Sandeep Kumar Sultania, commissioner of Transport department, adding they are working on modalities to implement the order.