One Vehicle One FASTag Initiative

Context:

Recently, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has launched the ‘One Vehicle, One FASTag’ initiative.

Relevance:

GS II: Government policies and Interventions

Dimensions of the Article:

1. About the ‘One Vehicle, One FASTag’ Initiative:
2. Key Points about FASTag

About the ‘One Vehicle, One FASTag’ Initiative:

• Objective: Enhance Electronic Toll Collection efficiency and facilitate seamless movement at Toll Plazas.
• KYC Process: Users urged to complete Know Your Customer (KYC) process by January 31 to avoid deactivation.
• Discouraging Practices: Aims to discourage using a single FASTag for multiple vehicles or linking multiple FASTags to a particular vehicle.
• Background: Introduced in response to reports of multiple FASTags issued for a single vehicle and issuance without KYC, violating RBI’s mandate.

Key Points about FASTag:

• Technology: Utilizes Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) for toll payments while the vehicle is in motion.
• Functionality: RFID passive tag linked to the customer’s prepaid or savings/current account, allowing toll payments without stopping.
• Affixation: Placed on the vehicle’s windscreen and vehicle-specific; cannot be transferred to another vehicle.
• Purchase: Available from National Electronic Toll Collection (NETC) Member Banks.
• Recharge: If linked to a prepaid account, requires periodic recharging/top-up based on customer usage.

-Source: The Hindu