LUCKNOW, April 16 -- Vehicle owners across Lucknow and other Uttar Pradesh districts will face penalties of up to Rs.10,000 from Thursday if their vehicles are not fitted with High Security Registration Plates (HSRP), with enforcement set to intensify. Vehicles without HSRP will also be denied Pollution Under Control (PUC) certificates, making compliance mandatory for road use. The rule applies mainly to vehicles purchased before April 1, 2019. Officials said denying PUC certificates will effectively bar such vehicles from being used legally. Earlier, a Rs.5,000 penalty was imposed for non-installation of HSRP, but the added restriction on PUC certification has increased the financial burden on defaulters. Data from the RTO shows low compliance in Lucknow, especially among older private vehicles. Of the 20.50 lakh private vehicles registered till March 31, 2019, only 6.72 lakh, about 32.80%, have been fitted with HSRP so far. Among commercial vehicles registered before the same cut-off, 35,820 out of 90,375 vehicles, or 39.63%, have installed HSRP. Officials said all vehicles registered up to March 31, 2019, must install authorised HSRPs, while those registered after April 1, 2019, are required to have pre-fitted plates....