New Delhi: In a major relief for millions of highway commuters, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has introduced a seamless FASTag portability feature named ‘OneTag’. Now live on the official ‘Rajmargyatra’ mobile application, this initiative allows vehicle owners to change their FASTag issuer bank without needing to replace the physical tag affixed to their vehicle’s windshield.
Likening the process to mobile number portability, Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari recently highlighted the move, stating that it will make tolling far more convenient for the public. “Switch your bank, keep your tag, and keep moving,” Gadkari remarked, underscoring the country’s rapid shift towards an intelligent, seamless, and cashless highway network.
How Does The OneTag Feature Work?
The ‘OneTag’ process is entirely digitised and can be comfortably completed through the Rajmargyatra app in a few simple steps. Users must first log in to the app and enter their vehicle registration number to check their porting eligibility. Once confirmed, a six-digit Mobile Verification Code (MVC) is sent by the current issuer bank to authorise the request.
Following the authorisation, users can select their preferred new issuer bank, complete the necessary customer verification (KYC) details, and finalise the wallet onboarding. Upon successful porting, the existing FASTag ID linked to the vehicle remains exactly the same, eliminating the hassle of scraping off the old sticker and purchasing a new one.
The previous bank is mandated to seamlessly close the existing wallet and refund any available balance to the user, subject to standard adjustments. However, to maintain system stability, the NHAI has implemented a strict six-month cooling-off period before a user can port their FASTag again.
Benefits Of The Initiative
According to an official NHAI release, the ‘OneTag’ initiative will significantly improve FASTag lifecycle management. By drastically cutting down the need for repeated tag manufacturing, it aims to lower the operational, dispatching, and reissuance costs borne by the ecosystem.
With a national penetration rate exceeding 98 per cent and a massive user base of around 13 crore, FASTag has revolutionised electronic toll collection in India. The integration of the ‘OneTag’ facility alongside existing citizen-centric services—such as the FASTag Annual Pass, Local Pass, and the 1033 emergency helpline on the Rajmargyatra app—further bolsters the government’s vision of a frictionless highway experience.