1.2 Lakh Vehicles Will Receive Rs 5 Crore Toll Refund For 32-Hour Jam On Pune-Mumbai Expressway

Thousands of motorists who were stranded in one of the most severe traffic disruptions on the Mumbai-Pune Expressway earlier this month are set to receive financial relief from the authorities. Following a propane gas tanker accident near Khopoli on February 3 that caused a 32-hour gridlockmany commuters were unexpectedly charged tolls even after authorities had ordered toll collection to be suspended. As a response, the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) has announced a refund for the affected travellers.

What Happened on the Expressway

On February 3, a gas tanker overturned near Khopoli, triggering severe congestion on the Mumbai-Pune Expressway that lasted for more than 32 hours. Vehicles were backed up across long stretches of the highway, leaving thousands of travellersincluding families with children and elderly passengers, stranded without access to food, water, or basic facilities for an extended period.

While authorities issued orders to suspend toll collection at toll plazas to ease the burden on motorists, automated toll deductions continued in some cases due to systems still being active at toll points. As a result, many commuters were charged for tolls they did not use during the disruption.

Refund Details and Who Will Benefit

In response to public outcry and complaints, MSRDC officials have identified the commuters who were incorrectly charged tolls during the suspension period. Approximately 1.2 lakh commuters are expected to receive refunds totalling around ₹5.16 crore. The refund process is underway, and the amounts will be credited directly to the commuters’ FASTag accounts within the coming week.

The refunds will cover tolls collected not only on the Mumbai-Pune Expressway but also on connected stretches such as parts of the Pune-Bengaluru National Highway where charges continued during the gridlock.

Official Response and Accountability

MSRDC has sought detailed transaction logs from the toll operator, IRB Infrastructureto identify all instances where FASTag deductions occurred despite instructions to suspend toll collections. Officials will use this data to process refunds for all eligible commuters.

While the refund initiative has been welcomed by motorists, critics and civic groups have urged authorities to investigate why the suspension of toll collection was not implemented smoothly and to ensure better emergency response mechanisms on major highways in the future.

What Commuters Should Know

• Refunds will be credited to FASTag accounts directly without requiring commuters to submit separate claims.
• The process is expected to complete in the coming week.
• Those affected include passengers who were charged tolls after the official suspension order was issued on the day of the gridlock.