NHAI’s ‘One Vehicle, One FASTag’ enhances National Highway travel experience

In a significant move to streamline and enhance the efficiency of the Electronic Toll Collection (ETC) system, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has introduced the ‘One Vehicle, One FASTag’ initiative. This strategic step aims to discourage the improper usage of a single FASTag for multiple vehicles or the linking of multiple FASTags to a particular vehicle. The NHAI has set a crucial deadline, emphasizing that FASTags with incomplete KYC (Know Your Customer) will face deactivation or blacklisting by banks after January 31, 2024.

Streamlining Electronic Toll Collection

The primary objective behind the ‘One Vehicle, One FASTag’ initiative is to foster a more organized and efficient toll collection system, ensuring seamless movement at toll plazas across the country. With an impressive penetration rate of around 98 percent and over 8 crore users, FASTag has undoubtedly revolutionized the ETC system in India.

The KYC Imperative

NHAI is urging FASTag users to prioritize the completion of the KYC process for their latest FASTags. Adhering to Reserve Bank of India (RBI) guidelines, completing the KYC is essential to maintaining the validity of the FASTag. It is crucial to understand that FASTags with a valid balance but incomplete KYC will be deactivated or blacklisted by banks post the specified deadline.

Ensuring Compliance for Seamless Journeys

To avoid any inconvenience, FASTag users must ensure that the KYC process for their latest FASTag is promptly completed. Moreover, as part of compliance with the ‘One Vehicle, One FASTag’ initiative, users are required to discard all previously issued FASTags through their respective banks. Only the latest FASTag account will remain active, as previous tags are scheduled for deactivation or blacklisting after January 31, 2024.

Assistance and Queries

For further assistance or queries, FASTag users can reach out to the nearest toll plazas or the toll-free customer care number provided by their respective issuer banks. This ensures a smooth transition for users and addresses any concerns or uncertainties related to the KYC process or the ‘One Vehicle, One FASTag’ initiative.

NHAI’s Proactive Measures

The initiation of this impactful measure by NHAI comes in response to recent reports highlighting the issuance of multiple FASTags for a single vehicle and instances where FASTags were distributed without completing the necessary KYC, a clear violation of RBI’s mandate. These incidents not only compromise the integrity of the ETC system but also lead to unnecessary delays at toll plazas, causing inconvenience to fellow National Highway users.

Importance of Proper FASTag Placement

NHAI has observed instances where FASTags are not deliberately affixed to the windscreen of the vehicle. This laxity in adhering to the recommended placement results in avoidable delays at toll plazas. The importance of affixing FASTags properly cannot be overstated, as it directly contributes to the smooth flow of traffic and a hassle-free experience for highway users.