CHANDIGARH, Aug. 23 — The coveted “0001” vehicle registration number set a new record in Chandigarh after fetching a winning bid of ₹36.43 lakh during an e-auction of special and fancy numbers, officials said Saturday. It marked the highest amount ever paid for a single vehicle number in the city.
The Registering and Licensing Authority (RLA) conducted the online auction of the new series “CH01-DA,” covering numbers from 0001 to 9999, along with unsold special numbers from earlier series, between August 19 and 22. A total of 577 numbers were sold, generating ₹4.08 crore in revenue — the highest-ever collection from such an auction.
“The auction this time was historic, with record bids placed for seven special numbers. The revenue of ₹4.08 crore is also the largest generated in any single auction so far,” said Pradhuman Singh, Director, Transport Department, Chandigarh.
Alongside the top bid for “0001,” other numbers also drew fierce competition. The number “0003” secured the second-highest price at ₹17.84 lakh, followed by “0009” at ₹16.82 lakh. The number “0005” was sold for ₹16.51 lakh, “0007” for ₹16.50 lakh, “0002” for ₹13.80 lakh, and “9999” for ₹10.25 lakh.
Officials noted that earlier this year, in May, “0001” from a previous series had drawn the then-record bid of ₹31 lakh. The latest auction surpassed that mark by over ₹5 lakh, underscoring the premium placed by buyers on Chandigarh’s sought-after registration plates.
The popularity of these numbers reflects both prestige and tradition in the city, where fancy plates are often associated with status and recognition. “These results show the growing demand and the value people attach to special registration numbers,” Singh said.
