NHAI's 'One Vehicle, One FASTag' Drive: Ensure KYC completion by Jan 31 to avoid deactivation

One Vehicle, One FASTag: In a bid to discourage the misuse of FASTags, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has launched the 'One Vehicle, One FASTag' initiative. This strategic move aims to deter users from employing a single FASTag for multiple vehicles or linking multiple FASTags to a specific vehicle, ultimately enhancing the efficiency of the Electronic Toll Collection (ETC) system.

Streamlining Toll Plaza Movement

The Ministry of Road Transport & Highways announced the initiative on Monday, emphasizing its objective to streamline movement at Toll Plazas. NHAI urged FASTag users to complete the 'Know Your Customer' (KYC) process for their latest FASTag. FASTags with a valid balance but incomplete KYC will face deactivation or blacklisting by banks after January 31, 2024.

"Only the latest FASTag account shall remain active as previous tags will be deactivated or blacklisted after 31st January 2024," stated the ministry.

Compliance with 'One Vehicle, One FASTag'

Users are instructed to ensure the completion of KYC for their latest FASTag and to adhere to the 'One Vehicle, One FASTag' principle. NHAI advises discarding all previously issued FASTags through respective banks.

This initiative responds to recent reports of multiple FASTags being issued for a single vehicle and FASTags being provided without complying with KYC, violating the Reserve Bank of India's mandate.

Addressing Toll Plaza Delays

Besides misuse, NHAI aims to address delays caused by improperly affixed FASTags. Some users deliberately fail to fix FASTags on their vehicle's windscreen, leading to unnecessary congestion at toll plazas and inconveniencing fellow National Highway users.

Notably, with a penetration rate of around 98 per cent and over 8 crore users, FASTag has revolutionised the Electronic Toll Collection system in the country.

Future Developments: GPS-Based Toll Collection

In a separate development, NHAI is set to introduce GPS-based toll collection on various routes across India. This initiative targets the reduction of toll booth congestion. Anurag Jain, secretary of the Roads Ministry, revealed that the pilot for GPS tolling would be tested on select highway stretches before a nationwide rollout.

GPS tolling is anticipated to replace the current FASTag system, using Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology. NHAI is in the development phase, and post-feedback, it plans to implement the GPS-based toll collection system on a larger scale.

FASTag has indeed played a transformative role in Electronic Toll Collection, and NHAI's initiatives aim to ensure its optimal and rightful use by all National Highway users.