NHAI Introduces 'One Vehicle, One FASTag' Initiative

• 18 Jan 2024

Source: PIB

Why in News?

National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has launched the ‘One Vehicle, One FASTag’ initiative that aims to discourage user behavior of using single FASTag for multiple vehicles or linking multiple FASTags to a particular vehicle.

• NHAI is also encouraging FASTag users to complete the ‘Know Your Customer’ (KYC) process of their latest FASTag by updating KYC as per RBI guidelines.
• FASTags with valid balance but with incomplete KYC will get deactivated/blacklisted by banks post 31^st January 2024.

What is FASTag?

• About: FASTag is a device that employs Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology for making toll payments directly while the vehicle is in motion.
  • NHAI launched two mobile Apps – MyFASTag and FASTag Partner to facilitate the availability of FASTags.
  • The tag is valid for 5 years from the date of issuance and comes in seven different colour codes.

• Benefits of FASTag:
  • For Road Users
    • Near non-stop motion through toll plazas
    • Convenience for cashless payment of toll fee
    • Less traffic congestion and reduced commute times
  • For Toll Operator
    • Lower operating costs
    • Better audit control through centralized user accounts
    • Improved capacity without being required to build more infrastructure
  • For Government
    • Savings on fuel and reduction of emissions from idling and repeated stops at toll plazas.
    • Improves transparency of toll transactions

Note

Radio Frequency Identification is a technology that uses radio waves to passively identify a tagged object. The system has two basic parts: tags and readers.

• The reader gives off radio waves and gets signals back from the RFID tag, while the tag uses radio waves to communicate its identity and other information.

What is the National Highways Authority of India?

• NHAI was constituted by an Act of Parliament in 1988 under the administrative control of the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways as a Central Authority to develop, maintain and manage the National Highways entrusted to it by the Government of India.
  • The authority, however, became operational in February, 1995.
• The Authority consists of a full time Chairman, and not more than five full time Members and four part time Members who are appointed by the Central Government.

What is the National Electronic Toll Collection Programme?

• The National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) has created the National Electronic Toll Collection (NETC) program to fulfill India's electronic tolling needs.
  • This program provides a nationwide, interoperable toll payment solution, covering clearing house services for settlement and dispute resolution.
• In the context of NETC, interoperability means a standardized set of processes and technical specifications, allowing FASTag users to use their tags for payment at any toll plaza, regardless of the plaza's operator.

UPSC Civil Services Examination, Previous Year Question (PYQ)

Prelims:

1. Consider the following communication technologies: (2022)

1. Closed-circuit Television
2. Radio Frequency Identification
3. Wireless Local Area Network

Which of the above are considered Short-Range devices/technologies?

(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3

Ans: (d)