In a landmark move aimed at revolutionizing road travel and toll payments across India, the Indian Highways Management Company Limited, in collaboration with the National Payments Corporation of India, has announced a significant update to the FASTag system. Starting from the 15th of April, 2024, vehicle owners will be required to operate under a “One Vehicle, One FASTag” policy, ensuring a more streamlined and efficient toll collection process on national highways.
This groundbreaking initiative promises to eliminate the confusion and clutter of managing multiple FASTags per vehicle, as only the most recent and active FASTag will be recognized as valid. Vehicle owners are advised to deactivate older FASTags and are eligible to claim a refund for any remaining balance, or settle any dues that are payable. This step is aimed at simplifying the toll payment process, making it more transparent and user-friendly.
In an effort to enhance convenience for millions of commuters, the system has been upgraded to support easy recharge options through UPI QR payments. This feature is available with FASTags issued by a host of prominent banks and financial institutions including Airtel Payments Bank, Bajaj Pay, Bank of Baroda, HDFC Bank, and IndusInd Bank among others. This integration signifies a leap towards leveraging technology to facilitate seamless travel and efficient toll collection across the vast network of Indian highways.
The updated list of active NETC (National Electronic Toll Collection) FASTag issuers includes a wide range of banks and financial entities, ensuring that users have ample choices for their FASTag needs. These issuers span across major national and regional banks, providing widespread access and ease of use for the FASTag system- Airtel Payments Bank, AU Small Finance Bank, Axis Bank, Bank of Baroda, Bajaj Finance Ltd, Bank of Maharashtra, Canara Bank, Central Bank of India, City Union Bank Limited, Cosmos Bank, Dombivli Nagari Sahakari Bank, Equitas Small Finance Bank, Federal Bank, HDFC Bank, ICICI Bank, IDBI Bank, IDFC Bank, Indian Bank, Indian Overseas Bank, IndusInd Bank, Jammu and Kashmir Bank, Karnataka Bank, Karur Vysya Bank, Kotak Mahindra Bank, Livquik Technology Pvt Ltd, Nagpur Nagrik Sahakari Bank Ltd, Punjab National Bank, Saraswat Co-operative Bank Ltd, South Indian Bank, State Bank of India, UCO Bank, Union Bank of India and Yes Bank.
This initiative is not just a step towards technological advancement in toll collection but also a significant move towards ensuring smoother and faster travel for millions of Indians. With a focus on reducing wait times at toll plazas and encouraging digital payments, the “One Vehicle, One FASTag” policy is set to redefine road travel in India. As we move closer to the 15th of April deadline, vehicle owners are encouraged to update their FASTag details and embrace this new chapter in Indian highway travel.
Issued in the public interest by the Indian Highways Management Company Limited and the National Payments Corporation of India, this update marks a pivotal moment in the journey towards a more digital and efficient India.
