KKN Gurugram Desk | In a remarkable display of personal passion and willingness to pay premium, businessman Sanjeev Kumar, a resident of Mattansiddh near Hamirpur, has spent a staggering ₹14 lakh to acquire the fancy scooter registration number HP‑21C‑0001. The bid came through a competitive online auction conducted by the Himachal Pradesh Transport Department, leaving the runner-up from Baddi district with a bid of ₹13.5 lakh.

What makes this story particularly intriguing is that Sanjeev’s target vehicle is a modest Honda Activa scooter, valued at just ₹1 lakh. Yet for him, the specialty of owning a unique, aesthetically pleasing number plate trumps cost considerations.

The Online Auction: Fierce Bidding for HP‑21C‑0001

The Transport Department operates an automated online auction platform to ensure transparent sale of special registration numbers. In this auction, only two bidders participated—Sanjeev from Mattansiddh and another participant based in Baddi (Solan district).

The Baddi bidder initiated the race with a bid of ₹13.5 lakh. Not willing to give up, Sanjeev responded swiftly with a ₹14 lakh bid, securing HP‑21C‑0001 and taking home what could be the most expensive two-wheeler registration number in Himachal Pradesh history.

Transportation officials confirmed that HP‑21C‑0001 may indeed set a record for highest-paid fancy number plate on a two-wheeler in the state.

Why HP‑21C‑0001? The Passion Behind the Plate

When asked about his motivation, Sanjeev says his love for unique license numbers outweighs practical concerns. For him, such a number signifies pride, identity, and personal expression.

“I’ve long been fascinated by special registration plates. For me, it’s not an expense—it’s a passion,” he said, affirming that no price tag could deter him from owning HP‑21C‑0001.

This mindset is reminiscent of luxury car owners who invest heavily in premium plates like “0001,” “0007,” or “9999”, believing such plates symbolize status and uniqueness.

A Deep Dive into the Fancy Number Plate Market

India’s vehicle registration system allows special or fancy plate bidding, adding a unique element of personal branding to transport. These auctions attract buyers willing to pay huge premiums—often many times more than their vehicle’s value.

Key aspects of this market:

• Organized by State Transport Departments

• Conducted via secure online platforms

• Residual proceeds often fund road infrastructure, safety, and administrative projects

• Popular among individuals looking to personalize their vehicles distinctively

This trend is not limited to luxury cars—scooters, bikes, and even fancy commercial vehicle plates have drawn six-figure bids in Maharashtra, Delhi, Karnataka, and Gujarat.

Record-Breakers: Expensive Plates on Two-Wheelers

Fancy registrations are usually reserved for high-end cars, but instances like Sanjeev’s show how two-wheelers are now joining the trend.

Notable benchmarks include:

• Maharashtra: ₹7 lakh for a single-digit two-wheeler plate in 2022

• Tamil Nadu: ₹8.5 lakh paid for a “0001” registration

• Delhi & Karnataka: Multiple two-wheeler plates fetching ₹5–₹8 lakh, especially with repeating or special-digit patterns

With Sanjeev’s ₹14 lakh winning bid, HP‑21C‑0001 is poised to become one of the most valuable scooter plates nationwide.

Transport Department’s Revenue and Transparency

Auctions like these benefit both buyers and the state:

1. High Value Returns: Selling a number plate for ₹14 lakh generates solid revenue.

2. Support for Infrastructure: Funds can be allocated to road safety, highways, and traffic control upgrades.

3. Digital Bidding System: Ensures honest competition and avoids manual manipulation.

A transport official mentioned that regions like Shimla, Solan, and Mandi often host auctions with substantial bids, particularly for striking number plates like “HP-01-0001” which are seen as status symbols.

Criticisms & Supporters: Splurging on Plates

The practice of shelling out large sums for license plates attracts mixed reactions:

🔹 Supporters say:

• It’s a legitimate form of self-expression and ownership pride

• It promotes financial transparency versus black money or favoritism

• Auction revenues aid public services

🔻 Critics argue:

• Funds could be better spent on education or healthcare

• Such tends toward ostentatious display instead of productive use

• Allows branding of vehicles based on wealth rather than utility

Though debate continues, the system remains popular in many states, reflecting a cultural trend where status symbols outrank standard necessities.

Impact on Himachal Pradesh Road Culture

Himachal’s rough terrain and hill roads make flashy plates less about show and more about building a unique identity. Sanjeev’s Activa is rumored to display “HP‑21C‑0001” with flair through vehicle wraps and light accents, turning it into a mobile status icon.

Similar trends are visible from Shimla to Hamirpur, with vintage car lovers and pedal bike owners also bidding for rare registration numbers.

Personal Story: Who is Sanjeev Kumar?

A moderate-profile businessman, Sanjeev Kumar owns a small dealership near Hamirpur and supplies automotive parts. He’s known locally for fancy plate fascination—mirroring his take on unique number plates.

This auction marks his most notable acquisition. Locals consider him a trendsetter among scooter owners, creating buzz not driven by speed but by a dynamic two-wheeler identity.

Could ₹14 Lakh Define a Trend?

Sanjeev’s spree may spark others to follow suit. With Himachal Transport Department hosting new bid rounds for unique registrations (0001–0010) soon, more bidders might vie for “HP‑21C‑0002”, “HP‑21C‑0003”, etc.

Officials remind bidders to:

• Watch closely during auction

• Ensure online registration is valid

• Be prepared with proof of identity for finalization

The transparency of bidding provides assurance that highest-value numbers go to genuine buyers, realigning the practice with open-market principles.

Sanjeev Kumar’s ₹14 lakh bid for HP‑21C‑0001 shows that in India, a unique number plate can be far more than just a vehicle tag. It becomes a piece of identity, status, and personal passion.

While skeptics raise ethical questions about the spending, the Transport Department’s transparent bidding provides a regulatory framework for self-expression. For Sanjeev, the price is trivial compared to the joy of clutching a unique sticker on his Activa.

As other enthusiasts await future auctions, Sanjeev’s story stands out—part record-breaking flair, part psychological celebration—with one clear message: In Himachal’s twisty roads, owning HP‑21C‑0001 means standing out—at any cost.