The Maharashtra government has increased the fees for VIP number plates for new vehicles, thus increasing manifold the cost of acquiring special numbers. The new rates that came into effect after an August 30 notification have made certain VIP numbers much costlier. The change is especially in high-demand areas like Mumbai and Pune.
For instance, the fancy number ‘0001’ for four-wheelers has shot up and is now available for ₹6 lakh in cities like Mumbai and Pune. In the case of two- and three-wheelers, the number ‘0001’ will be priced at ₹1 lakh against ₹50,000 earlier. These changes mirror the growing demand for VIP numbers from high net-worth individuals, businessmen, politicians, and celebrities.
For the first time since 2013, the fees for VIP number plates have been revised. Other fancy numbers for four-wheelers like 0009, 0099 and 9999 are priced at ₹2.5 lakhs besides ‘0001’. The same numbers for two- and three-wheelers cost ₹50,000. Out-of-series numbers are equally in high demand, with few numbers priced as high as ₹18 lakhs in select cities.
Fees for VIP number plates rise for 16 popular numbers
The rise in the cost of number plate VIP numbers is not limited to just a few numbers. This charge for some 16 other popular numbers has increased to ₹1 lakh from ₹70,000 for four-wheelers. In the case of two-wheelers, there is a lesser increase, and it is priced at ₹25,000 up from ₹15,000. Numbers like 0011 and 0022 are priced at ₹25,000 for four-wheelers and ₹6,000 for two-wheelers.
Apart from that, VIP numbers can also be transferred to the immediate family, like spouses and children. Now, there is a grace period of six months in which one can reserve their number and bring their vehicle forward. The new fees for VIP number plates reflect the growing interest in exclusive vehicle identification, thus making this market competitive for unique registrations.
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