India's electronic toll collection system, FASTag, managed by the National Highways Authority of India, will see FASTags with incomplete KYC deactivated or blacklisted by banks after January 31. The system utilizes Radio Frequency Identification technology to facilitate toll payments directly from linked prepaid or savings accounts.
The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways announced on Monday that FASTags with a valid balance but incomplete KYC will face deactivation or blacklisting. Users are urged to complete the KYC for their latest FASTags to avoid inconvenience. Additionally, users must adhere to the 'One Vehicle, One FASTag' rule, discarding any previously issued FASTags through their banks. After January 31, 2024, only the latest FASTag account will remain active, as earlier tags will be deactivated or blacklisted.
For assistance or queries, FASTag users can contact the toll-free customer care number of their respective issuer banks or visit the nearest toll plaza.
This initiative by NHAI follows recent reports of multiple FASTags being issued for a single vehicle and FASTags being distributed without proper KYC, violating RBI mandates. Deliberate failure to affix FASTags on vehicle windshields has also caused unnecessary delays at toll plazas.
With a penetration rate of around 98 percent and over 8 crore users, FASTag has significantly transformed the country's Electronic Toll Collection system. The 'One Vehicle, One FASTag' initiative aims to enhance toll operations' efficiency, ensuring seamless and comfortable journeys for National Highway users.
NHAI has recently partnered with the National Remote Sensing Centre (NRSC) to develop a "Green Cover Index" for India's extensive National Highways network. Since the initiation of the Green Highways Policy in 2015, greening Highway Corridors has been a priority for the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways and NHAI. The NRSC will use high-resolution satellite imagery for a comprehensive pan-India estimation of green cover, known as the "Green Cover Index," enhancing plantation management and monitoring.
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