"One Vehicle, One FASTag' initiative

18.01.2024

'One Vehicle, One FASTag' initiative , Daily Current Affairs , RACE IAS : Best IAS Coaching in Lucknow 

Why in the news?

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

About the 'One Vehicle, One FASTag' initiative:

• The National Highways Authority of India suggested tagging users to complete the Know Your Customer (KYC) process by the end of January 31 to avoid deactivation.
• The move aims to enhance the efficiency of the Electronic Toll Collection system and provide seamless movement at the Toll Plazas.
• The new arrangement Of ‘One Vehicle, One FASTag’ has also been introduced to discourage user behaviour of using single FASTag for multiple vehicles or linking multiple FASTags to a particular vehicle.
• The initiative had been taken after the recent reports of multiple FASTags being issued for a particular vehicle and FASTags being issued without KYC in violation of RBI’s mandate.

Key points about FASTag

• It is a device that employs Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology for making toll payments directly while the vehicle is in motion.
• It is a RFID passive tag used for making toll payments directly from the customers linked prepaid or savings/current account.
• It is affixed on the windscreen of the vehicle and enables the customer to drive through toll plazas, without stopping for any toll payments.
• The toll fare is directly deducted from the linked account of the customer.
• It is also vehicle specific and once it is affixed to a vehicle, it cannot be transferred to another vehicle.
• FASTag can be purchased from any of the National Electronic Toll Collection (NETC) Member Banks.
• If a FASTag is linked to the prepaid account, then it needs to be recharged/ topped-up as per the usage of the customer.    
• The FASTag is valid for five years from the day of purchase.

Benefits of FASTag:

• Cashless transactions since the money is through a bank account directly.
• With a FASTag one can avoid the queues at toll plazas and glide through which leads to smooth travel.
• It also leads to the saving up of the fuel.                                              

                                                  Source: New Indian Express