Pune RTO’s new MH-61 A series receives overwhelming response
Pune Motorists Flock to New MH-61 A Registration Numbers, Over 1,000 Applications Logged
Indiadailyupdate.com – The Pune Regional Transport Office has recorded a surge of interest in its freshly launched MH-61 A vehicle registration series, with 1,018 applications filed by citizens seeking specific preferred numbers for their four-wheelers. The response, which began rolling in on August 27 when the RTO opened the window for preferred-number selections, has been described internally as comparable in scale to the enthusiasm that greeted the now-exhausted MH-12 series decades ago.
The MH-12 prefix, long synonymous with Pune's road identity, recently hit its numerical ceiling. Once every available combination under that prefix was allocated, the transport administration transitioned the city to the MH-61 series. The "A" sub-series within MH-61 is the first tranche made available for preferred-number bidding, and its reception suggests that Pune's driving public is comfortable adopting the new identifier without prolonged hesitation.
Which Numbers Drew the Most Bidders
The application data reveals a pronounced appetite for short, memorable, and numerically symbolic sequences. Registration number 91 topped the chart with nine competing applicants. A cluster of numbers — 24, 27, 2424, 6161, and 9909 — each attracted eight bidders. Single-digit entries 5 and 23 drew seven and six applications respectively, while 555 and 2498 also pulled six each.
Five applications were logged for numbers 6, 10, 5151, 6999, 7070, and 9001. Beyond that tier, a long tail of multi-applicant numbers includes 1500, 2799, 3000, 5006, 5666, 6666, 7111, 7171, 8118, and 9005, among others.
The pattern is unmistakable: drivers gravitate toward single-digit codes, compact double-digit sequences, triple-digit repetitions, and four-digit strings built from repeated digits or mirrored groups. Numbers tied to birth dates, professional identifiers, or culturally auspicious digit combinations command particular loyalty.
Auction Mechanism for Contested Numbers
Where more than one applicant has claimed the same preferred number, the RTO will resolve the conflict through its prescribed auction procedure. The highest bidder secures the registration, and the premium paid flows into the transport department's revenue pool. Officials anticipate that high-demand numbers — particularly the short, symbolic sequences — will generate meaningful incremental income beyond the standard registration fee.
"The response to the new MH-61 A series has been very encouraging. The number of applications received for preferred registration numbers shows that motorists are readily accepting the new series. Wherever multiple applications have been received for the same number, the allotment will be carried out through the prescribed auction process," said Swapnil Bhosale, deputy regional transport officer, Pune RTO.
Why Drivers Are Willing to Pay a Premium
For many vehicle owners, a registration number is not merely an administrative tag; it is a long-term identifier that travels with the car through years of ownership, resale, and daily visibility. The willingness to pay extra for a number that feels personally meaningful — whether it echoes a birthday, a lucky digit, or a profession-related code — reflects a broader cultural practice across Indian cities where number symbolism intersects with vehicle identity.
"I wanted a number that is easy to remember and has personal significance for me. Since such numbers remain associated with the vehicle for a long time, I felt it was worth applying for my preferred number even if it costs a little more," said Vipul Alekar, one of the applicants.
"Numbers with repeated digits or a combination that matches a birth date are considered lucky by many people. I have applied for my preferred number because it is easy to remember and has a special meaning for my family," added Kiran Pisal, another applicant.
Broader Implications for Pune's Transport Administration
The swift uptake of MH-61 A carries practical consequences beyond revenue. A smooth transition away from the depleted MH-12 prefix reduces administrative friction at registration counters, shortens backlogs for new vehicle registrations, and gives the RTO a clean numerical runway for the coming years. The fact that over a thousand preferred-number applications arrived within the first days of the window suggests that the city's motorist community treats the new prefix as a legitimate successor rather than an imposition.
For the transport department, the auction premiums on contested numbers represent a modest but recurring revenue stream that can be earmarked for infrastructure maintenance or digital modernization of registration services. The scale of demand also signals that future tranches of the MH-61 series — including two-wheeler and commercial-vehicle sub-series — will likely see similar or greater participation once opened.
As Pune's roads continue to fill with vehicles bearing the MH-61 prefix, the city's visual identity on the road will gradually shift. The MH-12 badge, familiar to generations of local drivers, will fade from new registrations while remaining on older vehicles for years to come. The MH-61 A series, now firmly embedded in the city's registration landscape, marks the beginning of that transition.
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