Pune: In a move to increase transparency and convenience, the state transport department has announced that vehicle choice numbers (VIP numbers) will now be available online.

This initiative will first be implemented on a trial basis at the Pimpri-Chinchwad RTO office starting Monday, June 24. The National Informatics Centre (NIC) has updated the necessary computer systems to support this new process.

The shift to online availability of choice numbers aims to prevent the exploitation of vehicle owners by middlemen, a common issue in the current system.

Traditionally, attractive vehicle numbers ranging from 1 to 9999, especially about 300 high-demand numbers, have commanded high prices. These include numbers corresponding to personal dates like birthdays or other significant figures, which, while not always traditionally attractive, are still considered choice numbers.

This experimental phase at the Pimpri-Chinchwad RTO is a significant step towards digitizing RTO services and, if successful, will be expanded across the state, marking a major advancement in the state transport department's efforts to enhance service efficiency and user convenience.

Benefits of the New System:

• Transparency: Online availability will bring more transparency to the process, reducing the chances of malpractices.

• Convenience: Vehicle owners will no longer need to visit the RTO office for choice numbers, as the entire process, including payment, can be completed online.

• Time-Saving: The online payment system eliminates the need for Demand Drafts (DD), saving vehicle owners significant time and effort.

Continued Auctions at RTO Offices:

While the sale process will be online, auctions for popular numbers, if multiple applications are received, will still be conducted at the RTO office. The current auction process will remain unchanged, ensuring the highest bidder secures the desired number.

"We have decided to sell choice numbers online and will implement this decision experimentally at the Pimpri-Chinchwad RTO office. However, the auction of numbers will still take place at the RTO office," said Sandesh Chavan, Regional Transport Officer, Pimpri-Chinchwad.