Hyderabad: The final Government Order (GO) is expected to be issued by the transport department soon, asking all vehicles in Telangana state to change their registration number plates from AP to TS. This will lead to cost implications as well as other complications for vehicle owners.

A preliminary notification had been issued by the transport department, seeking suggestions and comments on the issue, about 40 days ago. Already, private vehicles regularly travelling between the two states are required to pay entry taxes. As Hyderabad is an IT hub as well as the capital city, people from not only other districts in the state, but also from other states are working here.

“For example, a person who is from Vizag and is working in Hyderabad, will be required to change his vehicle’s registration apart from paying a lifetime tax and taking a no objection certificate. Due to the bifurcation of the state, all vehicles bought in AP districts that are plying anywhere in Telangana, will need to pay an additional life tax to change the registration number,” said Waseem Memon, RTA activist and founder of Drive Without Borders. Likewise, vehicles bought anywhere within the undivided state, but plying in different districts had earlier only required a clearance certificate. This, however, was a rule largely ignored by vehicle owners as they were plying within the same state.

For people who had not obtained the CCs earlier, it will be problematic. They will now need to pay life time tax, which can be between 5 and 22 per cent depending on the vehicle. Again, vehicle owners in border districts are likely to be at a loss.