'One Vehicle, One FASTag' initiative

About 'One Vehicle, One FASTag' initiative

• The National Highways Authority of India suggested tagging users to complete the Know Your Customer (KYC) process by the end of January 31 to avoid deactivation.
• The move aims to enhance the efficiency of the Electronic Toll Collection system and provide seamless movement at the Toll Plazas.
• The new arrangement Of ‘One Vehicle, One FASTag’ has also been introduced to discourage user behaviour of using single FASTagfor multiple vehicles or linking multiple FASTags to a particular vehicle.
• The initiative had been taken after the recent reports of multiple FASTags being issued for a particular vehicle and FASTags being issued without KYC in violation of RBI’s mandate. 

Key points about FASTags

• It is a device that employs Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology for making toll payments directly while the vehicle is in motion. 
• It is a RFID passive tag used for making toll payments directly from the customers linked prepaid or savings/current account.
• It is affixed on the windscreen of the vehicle and enables the customer to drive through toll plazas, without stopping for any toll payments.
• The toll fare is directly deducted from the linked account of the customer.
• It is also vehicle specific and once it is affixed to a vehicle, it cannot be transferred to another vehicle.
• FASTag can be purchased from any of the National Electronic Toll Collection (NETC) Member Banks.
• If a FASTag is linked to the prepaid account, then it needs to be recharged/ topped-up as per the usage of the customer.

Q1) What is Radio frequency ?

It refers to the rate of oscillation of electromagnetic radio waves in the range of 3 kHz to 300 GHz, as well as the alternating currents carrying the radio signals. This is the frequency band that is used for communications transmission and broadcasting.

Source: Complete KYC for FASTag before Jan 31 to avoid deactivation, mandates Centre