In a significant move to streamline toll collection through FASTags, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has announced that FASTags with incomplete Know Your Customer (KYC) details will be deactivated or blacklisted by banks after January 31, 2024. The directive is part of the ‘One Vehicle, One FASTag’ initiative, designed to curb the misuse of a single FASTag for multiple vehicles or linking multiple FASTags to a specific vehicle.
According to an official statement released by NHAI on January 15, FASTags with a valid balance but incomplete KYC will face deactivation or blacklisting by banks after the specified date. Users are urged to ensure that the KYC process for their latest FASTag is completed to avoid any inconvenience.
NHAI emphasized that only the latest FASTag account associated with a vehicle will remain active. For assistance or queries, FASTag users can contact the toll plazas nearest to them or reach out to the toll-free customer care numbers provided by their respective issuer banks.
The NHAI’s decision comes in response to recent reports of multiple FASTags being issued for a single vehicle and instances where FASTags are provided without proper KYC, violating mandates set by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). Additionally, the statement highlighted instances of FASTags not being affixed to vehicle windscreens intentionally, causing unnecessary delays at toll plazas and inconveniencing fellow national highway users.
The Ministry of Road Transport & Highways applauded the success of FASTag, citing a penetration rate of approximately 98 percent and over 8 crore users. FASTag has significantly transformed the electronic toll collection system in the country.
The ‘One Vehicle, One FASTag’ initiative is expected to bolster the efficiency of toll operations, promising seamless and comfortable journeys for national highway users. As the government takes this proactive step to ensure compliance and deter misuse, it marks a pivotal moment in the evolution of electronic toll collection in India. Users are urged to act promptly to complete their KYC processes and embrace the seamless travel experience facilitated by FASTags.