OneTag’ FASTag Portability Service
Why in News?
The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) announced the rollout of ‘OneTag’, a FASTag portability service on its Rajmargyatra app, allowing users to change issuing banks while keeping the same physical tag on their vehicle.
Key Features & Information of OneTag
- NHAI said the move aims to expand consumer choice and streamline the FASTag ecosystem for over 130 million users.
- No Physical Replacement: Drivers can switch their participating issuer bank while retaining the exact same physical sticker, Tag ID, and vehicle registration linkage.
- Centralized Platform: The entire process is conducted completely digitally via the official NHAI Rajmargyatra Mobile App.
- 6-Month Cooling Period: To prevent frequent shifting and ensure systematic alignment, an interoperable FASTag can only be ported once every six months.
- Automated Refunds: Upon successful porting, the older issuer bank automatically closes the previous wallet and refunds the remaining balance directly to the user (post any pending toll adjustments).
- Joint Development: The ecosystem has been built collectively by the Indian Highways Management Company Limited (IHMCL) and the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI).
- Seamless Toll Integration: The backend functions entirely through the current National Electronic Toll Collection (NETC) framework. Toll plazas do not need to alter their scanners or transaction architecture.
Step-by-Step Portability Process
- Eligibility Check: Open the Rajmargyatra app, log in, and enter your vehicle registration number to check eligibility for porting.
- Verification Code: Upon verification, you will receive a 6-digit Mobile Verification Code (MVC) from your current issuing bank.
- Select New Issuer: Enter the code to authorize the transfer, then select your preferred new participating bank from the available list.
- KYC & Onboarding: Complete the standard KYC customer verification and set up the new wallet link.
- Activation: The existing tag transfers ownership to the new bank, and the old wallet initiates its closure and refund cycle.
Benefits of the Initiative
- Enhanced Consumer Choice: Drives healthy competition among banks to provide better digital services, easier wallet top-ups, and cleaner customer support interfaces.
- Environmental & Cost Savings: Lowers operational costs, physical dispatching, and material reissuance expenses by dramatically reducing the lifecycle production of plastic/RFID stickers.
- Reduced Waiting Times: Contributes to the government's broader goal of reducing average toll plaza wait times down to less than 10 seconds.
