9 is the new No. 1

“We were also surprised as the maximum number of applications received were for the number 9,” said district transport officer Ashwini Kumar. Number 0007 went for the second highest amount at Rs 1.85 lakh,and number 0004 at Rs 75,000.

However,the response to the auction was a little damp this time. For the 360 numbers put up for auction,only 750 applications were received.

“The response was lukewarm but we still managed to earn Rs 38 lakh through the auction,” said Kumar.

Sources said since the I-T deparment keeps an eye on those bidding for these numbers,many people choose to stay away. Regarding the number in demand,they said many people consult their astrologers and numerologists before buying the numbers.