During this time, Tiwari ran from pillar to post, collecting numerous documents and completing a series of formalities required by the registration authority.

Unlike most other applicants, Tiwari did not succumb to the lure of touts, who promise to get the registration done quickly for a fee, of course.  

"The officials deliberately create situations that force applicants to get work done from touts," complained Tiwari.

Crowded counters are the norm at the registration office in Gurgaon.

"Firstly, people are not provided a detailed list of the formalities. Secondly the officials demand so many documents that any applicant would look for an easy way out," added the Jalwayu Vihar resident.

Tiwari's car a 2004 model Honda City was first registered in Agra. When he applied to get it registered in Gurgaon this year, he was in for a shock: the authorities wanted him to get documents from the dealer as well as the manufacturer certifying that the car complied with EuroII emission norms.

Everyday, about 300-350 applications are received at the registering authority's office for both new and old vehicles. Yet, the rush at the counters of the authority's office - which is situated on the ground floor of the Mini Secretariat building - does not reflect this figure. The reason is that nearly half the applicants prefer to take the help of touts.

According to applicants, who did not want to be identified for fear of being harassed, it is not just the officials who created hurd1es in the registration process. The conventional system of asking for numerous documents itself is a problem, they said.

"For example, the office of district inspector (DI), which is concerned only with verifying whether the vehicle to be registered is stolen, demands the file, which is to be forwarded to the registration office, complete with all the formalities such as insurance certificate, residence proof and other documents," said an applicant.

Amit Bhandari, another applicant, said that people were being harassed in the name of security "When we object to their behaviour, the officials cite security concerns for the extensive documentation. But touts are taking undue advantage of this," said Bhandari.

Other common excuses that applicants have to face for delays are breakdown of computers and lack of staff. As a result, it takes at least a month to get a registration certificate (RC).

However, officials claim that vehicle registration is done immediately after documents are received. "We have a computerised system and registration is done on the spot. However, since we are overloaded with work and short of staff, the issuance of RC (registration certificate) takes about 15 days or so," said J.S. Sangwan, SDM, Gurgaon.