NHAI takes steps to validate VRNs for strengthening data accuracy across tolling ecosystem

To enhance the accuracy and reliability of data in the Electronic Toll Collection (ETC) system, the 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 decision follows receipt of complaints regarding instances where the VRN captured by FASTag readers does not match with the actual registration number displayed on the vehicle number plate.

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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 has been observed that a considerable number of such mismatches are associated with FASTags issued prior to the integration of FASTag issuance with the VAHAN database. During that period, validation mechanisms were relatively limited and relied more on manual processes, leading to potential inconsistencies in vehicle identification records,” the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways said on Wednesday.

The NHAI has emphasised 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.

Under the MLFF framework, enforcement actions, including issuance of electronic notices (e-Notices) to non-compliant vehicles, will significantly depend on accurate and verified 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, in accordance with established Government guidelines.

The NHAI remains committed to strengthening transparency, compliance and operational efficiency of the Electronic Toll Collection system.

The ongoing efforts to improve data integrity, prevent misuse of FASTag and will further enhance user experience on National Highways across the country.