India's highways authority launches OneTag to simplify FASTag switching

India's highway toll collection system is set to become more flexible with the launch of OneTag, a new portability service by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI). The initiative addresses long-standing grievances among vehicle owners who previously faced complications when seeking to change their FASTag issuer or bank partner.

The OneTag service functions on principles comparable to mobile number portability, enabling users to retain their existing FASTag number while transferring their account to a different issuing bank or service provider. This eliminates the previous requirement to apply for a new tag and update vehicle registration details each time a customer wished to switch issuers.

The portability feature is designed to enhance consumer choice and reduce friction in India's electronic toll collection ecosystem. Motorists can now evaluate service quality and pricing among competing FASTag providers without the administrative burden of obtaining fresh tags and reregistering their vehicles.

The move reflects growing regulatory focus on improving user experience in digital payment systems across Indian highways. Officials have outlined a clear process for implementing the service, though specific operational timelines and participating banks were not immediately detailed.