An Indian businessman in Dubai, has paid a whopping $9 million to buy a single-digit car registration plate, adding another coveted number plate to his collection.

The Roads and Transport Authority in Dubai was paid 33 million Dirhams by Balwinder Sahani for  number "D5" during number plate auction

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.

The Gulf News reported, Sahani said that, "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.”

He said that He bought the vehicle number plate O9 for 25 million Dirhams in last year.

"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 live auction was participated by more than 300 bidders, which takes place every two months, witnessing fierce battle between bidders for some unique numbers.

A few other numbers bagged more than a million including "P27" that went for 2.14 million Dirhams.

In June this year, Emirati businessman Arif Al Zarooni, bought Number 1 plate for 18 million Dirhams in Sharjah.

Nandini