0001: Indoreans bid up to Rs 5 lakh for ‘VIP’ identity on road

Indore: If there is a number on a vehicle's licence plate that defines the ultimate status symbol for Indoreans, it is 0001.In 2025, the race for this coveted digit turned into a high-stakes event on five separate occasions as this number went on auction in different series. The bidding was intense. In some series, the auctions settled at Rs 1 lakh, Rs 2.50 lakh, Rs 2.96 lakh, and Rs 4.26 lakh. In a particular series, the bidders held no bars, driving the price to a record-breaking Rs 5.50 lakh for a single plate."It is not just about being ‘Number One'. The demand was deeply personal," RTO Pradeep Kumar Sharma said. "Numbers like 0786 and 0909 remain perennial favourites for those seeking a bit of divine favour on the road. Symmetrical sequences like 111, 222, or double digits like 77 and 88 are highly sought after for their aesthetic appeal," Sharma told TOI."It is not just individuals; industrial giants and commercial fleets are getting in on the action. Many companies now pay a premium to ensure their entire fleet carries the same number across different series, creating a unified and recognisable brand on the move," he said.The trend is not reserved for four-wheelers alone. Indore's bikers are equally enthusiastic. Over 1,037 two-wheeler numbers were auctioned, starting at a modest Rs 5,000. However, the standout winner in this category was the number 1111, which fetched a whopping Rs 41,000—more than the cost of some second-hand scooters.This passion for prestige translated into a massive windfall for Indore regional transport office, which raked in a staggering Rs 11.40 crore from the allotment of VIP and fancy registration numbers in 2025.While the bidding can get competitive, the RTO ensured the process remained transparent. By setting a base price and letting the market decide the final value through an online system, the department turned a simple registration process into a major revenue generator for the state.The base price of the choice number varies based on the series and the numbers. The range of base price of choice number, from two-wheelers to four-wheelers, is between Rs 2,000 to Rs 1 lakh."Whenever multiple people want the same identity on the road, the bidding process ensures it goes to the most passionate seeker while maximising public revenue," Sharma said.The city saw 20,239 vehicle owners shelling out extra cash in2025 to secure their dream sequences, marking a significant jump from the previous year, proving that Indore's appetite for exclusive plates was only growing.