From August 1, 2024, new regulations regarding FASTag, India’s electronic toll collection system, will be implemented by the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) to streamline toll collection, minimise congestion and increase efficiency on national roadways.
Users are required to update their accounts to bypass possible inconveniences at toll plazas. The following new rules and regulations will have to be complied with as failure to do so by October 31, 2024 could lead to significant problems at toll checkpoints.
FASTag users should check the issuance date of their FASTag accounts and request replacements from the issuing authority if their accounts are five years or older, as these outdated accounts will become invalid. Furthermore, accounts that are at least three years old are obliged to update their "know your customer" (KYC) details. The last day to complete this process is October 31, 2024. Failure to comply with the new KYC standards might lead to the blacklisting of FASTag accounts.
From April 1, the “One FASTag, One Vehicle” scheme became mandatory. Along similar lines, to ensure that each FASTag is uniquely associated with a specific vehicle, all FASTag users are required to be linked to the vehicle’s registration number (VRN), chassis number and owner’s mobile number. For those who have recently purchased a vehicle, it is essential to update the registration number on the FASTag within 90 days of purchase.
FASTag service providers are now required to perform a thorough verification of their databases. This includes confirming that the details associated with each FASTag match the information in the VAHAN database, which is the national vehicle registry in India. This verification process is critical to ensuring that all data is accurate and up-to-date.
To prevent misuse and ensure that the vehicle associated with the FASTag is correctly identified, FASTag providers must upload clear photographs of the vehicle. This includes images of the vehicle’s front and side and a clear view of the FASTag affixed to the vehicle.
Each FASTag must be linked to the owner’s mobile number. This requirement is intended to facilitate better communication between FASTag providers and users, ensuring that users receive timely updates and notifications regarding their FASTag status.
You can check your FASTag balance and information through the Paytm app, email, sms and the My FASTag app.
(With inputs from multiple news sources)