Vehicles without valid High-Security Registration Plates (HSRP) will not be allowed to buy petrol, diesel or CNG in Amritsar, following a strict order issued by the Police Commissioner.
The order, issued under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023, will apply to petrol pumps, diesel dispensing stations and CNG stations across the Amritsar Commissionerate.
Which Vehicles Will Not Get Fuel In Amritsar?
Under the order, fuel stations have been directed not to supply fuel to vehicles that do not have valid and clearly visible HSRP number plates. Vehicles with missing front or rear number plates will also be denied fuel. The restriction will additionally cover plates that are broken, bent, covered, altered or tampered with.
The police said unclear or missing registration plates can make it difficult to identify vehicles through CCTV footage and Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) systems.
Why Has Amritsar Police Issued The Order?
According to the police, vehicles with missing or unclear number plates can create difficulties in investigating incidents such as hit-and-run cases, chain snatching, theft and robbery.
The move is aimed at improving vehicle identification and strengthening surveillance and traffic enforcement through CCTV and ANPR systems.
CCTV Recording Made Mandatory At Fuel Stations
Petrol pumps and CNG stations have also been directed to install information boards measuring at least 3×3 feet in both Punjabi and English, informing customers about the restriction.
CCTV and ANPR cameras at fuel stations must remain operational. The recorded footage of vehicles visiting the stations must also be preserved for at least 30 days.
Which Vehicles Are Exempt From The HSRP Rule?
New vehicles carrying valid registration or temporary registration numbers have been exempted from the restriction. Ambulances, fire brigade vehicles and other essential emergency vehicles will also be allowed to obtain fuel despite the general restriction.
What Action Can Be Taken For Violations?
The police said violations of the order may invite action under Section 223 of the BNSS and relevant provisions of the Motor Vehicles Act.
The directive effectively puts the responsibility on fuel stations to check the registration plates of vehicles before supplying fuel, making valid and clearly visible number plates an important requirement for motorists in Amritsar.
