Dubai, Oct 9: Balwinder Sahani, an Indian business tycoon in Dubai bought the most coveted number plate D5 for Dh33 million (around Rs 60 crore) at the Roads and Transport Authority's number plate auction on Saturday.
Sahani, also known as Abu Sabah, is the owner of RSG International, a property management company, with interests in the UAE, Kuwait, India and the United States.
"I like collecting unique number plates and I am proud to have got this number. I like number nine and D5 adds up to nine, so I went for it," said Sahani.
He said that last year he bought the number O9 for Dh25m.
"I have collected 10 number plates so far and I am looking forward to having more. It's a passion. This number will go to one of my Rolls Royces," he added.
The number generated great interest among the participants with the bid starting at Dh20 million.
The spectators seemed to have enjoyed every bit of the tense battle, cheering every move of the bidders.
More than 300 bidders participated at the live auction which takes place every two months, witnessing fierce battle between bidders for some numbers.
80 unique numbers were on offer on Saturday ranging from one two five digits.
"This is easily the biggest auction we have seen so far. The hall is packed with participants as well as those who have come to learn the trade and enjoy," said, Ahmad Hashim Behroozian, CEO of RTA's Licensing Agency.
He said that the number D5 has been the biggest draw in the RTA's auction history, with many VIPs participating.
"We usually have a lot of plate traders participating. Plate trading is big a business and a lot of people are making good money out of it. We also organise special auctions for traders and issue permits for plate trading," he said.
Apart from live auctions, RTA organises online plate auctions every month.
RTA also sells distinguished number plates for fixed prices and he said that the auctions help set the price.
He said, apart from helping people make money, auctions help generate revenue for RTA's never ending infrastructure projects.
The other number plate that attracted big money was Q77 which was bought by an Emirati bidder for Dh4.52 million.
A few other numbers bagged more than a million including P27 that went for Dh2.14m and R7777 went for 1.17m.
In June this year, Emirati businessman Arif Al Zarooni, bought Number 1 plate for Dh18 million in Sharjah.
In 2008, another Emirati businessman Saeed Al Khouri payed Dh52.2m for Number 1 licence plate in Abu Dhabi, which so far holds the record for the costliest number plate in the UAE.
Comments
Where are the fools who comment on fake Muslim food and money wasting news.....now what
Shame on such crazy fools. No doubt it is his own hard earned money. But this is Not the way to spend. Defenitely Not the way. It is Wasting the money. Why dont they spend on poor people. Pay hospital bills, make free schools, improve conditions in slum areas. There is alot to do than Just buying number plate for ?60 Cr.
Stupid Person....
This number will go to one of my Rolls Royces.!!!.. could you give us your number of RRs..
IF HE IS HELP TO POOR PEOPLE, HE WILL GET 120 CRORE WITH IN 1 YEAR FROM ALLAH.
GARIBON KA DUA LELO.
Dear Kairali, nothing to be shocked. this is what happening in the world. There is saying \har badi machli choti machli ko khati hai\". None can be so rich one of a sudden withut cheating. this person is avoiding benefits for his own emplohyees and busy in gathering money which he will take to his grave after death or might ask to burn it along with his body. You will find very few people who have become rich honestly. Most of the rich people are cheater / decoits. The recent and famous example is Devil Mallya. this person has cheated indians by billions of dollars and enjoying lavish life in UK. No need to say that he managed to escape to UK with help from the govt officials. Though he is telling that he will come back to india, i am sure he will never. Dear Kairali, please dont be frustrated. None is going to live here for ever. Everyl living thing has to taste death/end. History has seen rich people thousabnd time bigger that Mallya / Ambani / Sahani. but they left the world with their hands spreaded. Nepolian, the great warrior, had advised his people to take his dead body in procession with his hands uncovered to show that he was leavign the world with empty hands. God is great. Have trust in him. Money is not everything. God bless you with right way of thinking."
Shame to this type of fools. People are loosing their life just because of loans, food & poverty & such fools does not know how to spend money in good cause. Ashamed to say he is an Indian. Such goons are to be banned to India. Non sense.
Crazy.....could have used it for some other beneficial purpose......
Am shocked. His company had asked me to leave the job for demanding around Rs 20k hike.
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