The number of vehicles with special BH (Bharat) registration number series has recorded a massive jump in Pune, after a pretty slow start in 2021.
The number of two-wheeler owners opting for the BH series numbers has surpassed the total number of procurements in 2022. Also, when it comes to owners of four-wheelers, the BH series numbers are all set to surpass last year’s figures, an official of the Pune RTO (Regional Transport Office), said.
“These numbers are mainly advantageous to central government and private sector employees having transferable jobs. The idea is to get them this special series registration numbers so that they don’t have to change the same whenever they are transferred to a new state. Compared to 2021, two-wheelers bearing the BH series registration number have increased by 4,644%. In the four-wheeler segment, its takers increased by around 2,394% compared to 2021,” a senior RTO official told TOI. (See graphics)
The figures of vehicles with BH series numbers under the Pimpri Chinchwad RTO were being compiled, said an official.
The Pune RTO official said, “Pune could now be among cities where the takers of BH series is the highest. Only a few cities like Delhi, Mumbai and Bengaluru can be ahead of Pune. This shows two things – we are way past the pandemic and its after-effects. Also, people are shifting from one state to another more frequently for work.”
He said, “The trend also reveals that people are aware of the BH series. Its takers have increased as they want to avoid frequently changing vehicles’ registration numbers.”
The BH series number was launched in October 2021. The number starts from the year of the first registration of the vehicle, followed by letters BH, a computer chosen random four-digit number and then two alphabets between A and Z.
One can apply for BH series numbers by going to Sarathi under parivahan.gov.in. A person with this number pays road tax for two years and subsequently in multiples of two instead of 15 years.
If a vehicle owner having a regular registration number relocates to a new city, the parent state has to refund the road tax for the remaining years. The owner of the vehicle has to pay the road tax to the new state for the remaining years. The process is tedious. Those with the BH series numbers are spared from it.
Another RTO official said, “We are expecting Pune to surpass many RTOs this year when it comes to BH series numbers of vehicles. Only those who have their office branches in four or more states can apply for it.”
Gyaneshwar Sharma, a central government employee, reaped the benefit of BH series number. Transferred to Pune from Delhi last year, he said it had saved him from hassles. “The process of filling forms and getting no objection certificate from parent state is a hassle. For this (BH series number), one just has to fill up form number 20. Paying road tax for 15 years means more money in one go, which is saved here,” he said.
