Nitin Gadkari says vehicle owners can port FASTag to a different bank without replacing the physical tag under OneTag system; Here's how to switch FASTag bank
Union minister Nitin Gadkari has launched OneTag, a new system that lets FASTag users switch their issuing bank without replacing their physical tag, tag ID or vehicle registration number. The process runs through NHAI's Rajmargyatra app and here'...
Until now, a person who wanted to change their FASTag issuing bank had to close the existing account and go through the process of getting a completely new tag fitted. Under OneTag, the same physical tag, the same tag ID and the same vehicle registration number can be carried over to a new bank, with only the issuer changing in the background.
What is OneTag
OneTag is a portability system built jointly by the Indian Highways Management Company Limited, which is promoted by the National Highways Authority of India, and the National Payments Corporation of India. It works within the existing National Electronic Toll Collection network, so toll plazas do not need to make any changes on their end. NPCI simply updates the issuer details linked to a tag once it has been ported.
How to port your FASTag to a new bank:
Step 1: Open the Rajmargyatra app
The portability facility is available through the Rajmargyatra mobile app run by NHAI. Users need to access the FASTag section within the app to begin the process.
Step 2: Check if your FASTag is eligible
Before the request can move forward, the existing tag and vehicle details are checked. The user will need to complete this verification step first.
Step 3: Give your consent to switch
Once the tag is found eligible, the user has to give consent to move the FASTag from the current bank to another participating bank.
Step 4: Pick your new bank
Step 5: Complete onboarding with the new bank
The new bank will carry out its own customer checks before it takes over the FASTag account.
Step 6: The switch is complete
Once onboarding is done, the new bank becomes responsible for the FASTag going forward. The sticker already on the vehicle does not need to be touched or replaced.
What happens to the old bank account
The earlier bank does not step away from the process right away. It continues to handle matters tied to the account before the switch, such as refunds and any pending transactions. The new bank takes charge of everything from the point the switch is completed. This is meant to make sure nothing from the old account is left unresolved once a user moves to a different bank.
Why the government introduced this
The government has said OneTag is meant to give motorists more choice and cut down on the need to manufacture and issue a fresh physical tag every time someone wants to change their bank. FASTag penetration in India is now above 98 percent, with around 13 crore tags issued, of which about 6 crore are currently active.
Gadkari also said the FASTag system has already saved close to 71 crore hours of travel time and around 56 crore litres of fuel every year. The fuel saved is valued at close to Rs 5,250 crore annually, while the value of the time saved is estimated at around Rs 68,500 crore a year.
The government is separately working on barrier free tolling to cut waiting time further, and is also planning an annual local pass priced at around Rs 1,500 for people living near toll plazas, which would be separate from the existing FASTag annual pass.
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