Gadkari launches 'OneTag' to let FASTag users switch banks easily

The central government has introduced a new facility for vehicle owners who use FASTag. Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari has launched the 'OneTag' facility, which will allow vehicle owners to change the bank linked to their FASTag without having to replace or remove the tag fitted on their vehicle. Earlier, switching banks meant the old FASTag on the vehicle had to be removed or deactivated first; that will no longer be necessary.

The 'OneTag' facility has been jointly developed by the Indian Highways Management Company Limited (IHMCL) and the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI). It will allow vehicle owners to change the bank linked to their existing FASTag while keeping the tag itself unchanged. In other words, the tag fitted on the vehicle will remain the same, only the bank behind it can be changed.

Until now, changing banks meant a vehicle owner first had to deactivate the old FASTag and then obtain a new tag from the new bank and fit it on the vehicle again. This cost both time and money. OneTag will remove this difficulty and spare vehicle owners the trouble of repeatedly changing tags.

This bank-switching facility is currently being offered through the National Highways Authority of India's Highway Yatra mobile app. The entire FASTag portability process can be completed through this app. First, the customer's eligibility for the facility will be checked, followed by secure verification. Once the customer's consent is obtained, they can select the new bank they want. After the bank-switching process is complete, the new bank will onboard the customer. Importantly, even after the bank is switched, the FASTag's Tag ID and the vehicle's registration number will remain the same, so the FASTag already fitted on the vehicle can continue to be used and no new tag will need to be installed.

When the bank is changed, the old bank will handle matters related to the old wallet, including customer verification, the balance in the wallet, refunds and pending transactions. That is, the old bank will settle the money and pending transactions held with it. Once portability is complete, the new bank will carry out onboarding, and all further FASTag services will be provided through that bank.

OneTag is expected to bring several benefits to FASTag users. They will not need to get a new FASTag to switch banks, the tag already on the vehicle will remain in use, the hassle of repeatedly changing tags will be reduced, the cost of reprinting a new tag will be saved, and there could be savings on other costs including shipping. Customers will also get greater freedom to choose their bank for FASTag. Overall, OneTag is expected to make the process of FASTag bank portability simpler, more convenient and more customer-friendly.