CHANDIGARH: A VIP vehicle registration number, CH01-DC-0001, was sold for ₹31.35 lakh during an e-auction conducted by the Chandigarh Administration, officials said on Monday.
The Office of the Registering and Licensing Authority (RLA), Chandigarh, conducted the online auction of the new CH01-DC series, ranging from 0001 to 9999, along with remaining fancy and special numbers from the previous series between December 20 and December 22. In total, 485 vehicle numbers were sold, generating a revenue of ₹29.63 million (₹2.96 crore) for the administration.
CH01-DC-0009 emerged as the second most expensive number, fetching ₹20.72 lakh, followed by CH01-DC-0007 at ₹16.13 lakh, CH01-DC-9999 at ₹13.66 lakh, and CH01-DC-0005 at ₹11.7 lakh.
Other high-value numbers sold during the auction included CH01-DC-0010 for ₹10.17 lakh, CH01-DC-0006 for ₹7.02 lakh, CH01-DC-0003 for ₹5.63 lakh, and CH01-DC-7777 for ₹5.26 lakh.
Officials said the transport department conducts auctions of VIP and fancy vehicle numbers multiple times each year to boost government revenue. Under the policy, the highest bidder is allotted the number, while certain VVIP numbers can also be booked at fixed pre-determined prices.
The Chandigarh transport department has seen growing interest in premium vehicle numbers, with bidders often competing aggressively for single-digit and repetitive combinations.
