The Maharashtra government has raised fees for VIP vehicle numbers, with the cost for the highly sought-after '0001' number for four-wheelers now set at Rs 6 lakh in major cities such as Mumbai and Pune. This increase marks a rise from Rs 4 lakh, while the fee for an out-of-series VIP number could now reach Rs 18 lakh, comparable to mid-segment cars. For two- and three-wheelers, the fee has doubled to Rs 1 lakh from Rs 50,000. The fee hike, effective from August 30, aims to boost state revenue, following a significant income of Rs 139.20 crore from such fees in the 2017-18 fiscal year. Additionally, the government has now permitted the transfer of VIP numbers to immediate family members, a change from previous restrictions. The new fee structure represents a long-overdue adjustment, reflecting the demand for these exclusive vehicle identifiers.