BuzzBytes New Delhi, Jan 31: The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) is contemplating extending the compliance deadline for the ‘One Vehicle, One FASTag’ initiative to March-end. This consideration arises in light of the challenges faced by Paytm FASTag users. The initiative, initially proposed to be implemented from March 1, aims to enhance toll collection efficiency and ensure seamless movement at toll plazas.An anonymous senior official stated, “In view of the Paytm crisis, FASTag users may be given more time to shift to the one vehicle-one FASTag norm.”The ‘One Vehicle, One FASTag’ initiative discourages the use of a single FASTag for multiple vehicles or linking multiple FASTags to a particular vehicle. The potential extension of the deadline aims to provide users with more time to transition to the new norm.The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) had earlier advised customers and merchants of Paytm Payments Bank Ltd to shift their accounts to other banks by March 15. Regarding FASTags, the RBI mentioned that users can continue to use them to pay tolls up to their available balance, but no further funding or top-ups will be allowed in the FASTags issued by Paytm Payments Bank after March 15, 2024.With over 8 crore users and a penetration rate of around 98 percent, FASTag has revolutionized electronic toll collection in India, operating under the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI).
