FASTag verification drive: NHAI orders vehicle registration numbers validation by banks; mismatches may face blacklisting

The government on Wednesday has directed FASTag issuer banks to immediately verify vehicle registration numbers (VRNs) linked to tags to improve data accuracy in the tolling system.“In order to enhance the accuracy and reliability of data in the Electronic Toll Collection (ETC) system, National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) has issued directions to all FASTag Issuer Banks to undertake immediate validation of Vehicle Registration Numbers (VRNs) linked with FASTags issued by them,” the government said in a release.The move follows complaints where the VRN captured by FASTag readers does not match the number displayed on vehicle plates.“Such discrepancies have the potential to undermine enforcement mechanisms and may lead to evasion of Government revenue and also attract other penal provisions under the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988,” it said.The government noted that many mismatches are linked to FASTags issued before integration with the VAHAN database, when validation processes were more manual and prone to inconsistencies.“NHAI has emphasized that ensuring the correctness of VRN mapping with FASTag is of critical importance, especially in view of upcoming technology-driven initiatives such as Multi-Lane Free Flow (MLFF) tolling,” the govt statement added.Under the MLFF system, enforcement actions, including issuance of electronic notices (e-notices), will depend heavily on accurate vehicle identification data.“In this context, all FASTag Issuer Banks have been directed to undertake urgent verification of FASTags issued by them and to blacklist those FASTags that are found to be linked with incorrect or invalid VRNs,” the release said.The government said the exercise is part of efforts to strengthen transparency, improve compliance and enhance operational efficiency in the electronic toll collection system, while preventing misuse and improving user experience on national highways.