Mumbai-Pune Expressway Toll Refund: MSRDC to Return ₹5.16 Crore to 1.2 Lakh FASTag Users After Gas Tanker Crisis
In a massive relief for over 1.2 lakh commuters, the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) has officially initiated a Mumbai-Pune Expressway toll refund process following the catastrophic traffic gridlock earlier this month.
Over 1 Lakh Commuters to Get FASTag Refunds
The decision comes after a high-speed gas tanker accident on February 3, 2026, near the Adoshi Tunnel, triggered a record-breaking 32-hour traffic jam. Despite official orders to suspend toll collection during the emergency, thousands of motorists were still charged. MSRDC has now identified approximately 1.2 lakh vehicle owners who are eligible for a collective refund of ₹5.16 crore.
According to senior MSRDC officials, the refund amount will be automatically credited to the respective FASTag accounts of the affected commuters within the coming week. This move covers tolls deducted at both the Khalapur and Talegaon plazas on the Expressway, as well as sections of the Pune-Bengaluru Highway that were impacted by the massive diversions.
The 32-Hour Crisis: What Went Wrong?
The crisis began on a Tuesday evening when a tanker carrying highly inflammable propylene gas overturned in the Khandala Ghat section. Fearing a major explosion, authorities shut down the Mumbai-bound lane, leading to a 25-km long tailback.
- Humanitarian Impact: Stranded for over a day, commuters, including senior citizens and children, faced severe hardships without access to food, water, or sanitation.
- The Toll Controversy: While Deputy CM Eknath Shinde had ordered an immediate halt to toll collection to ease movement, the automated FASTag systems at some booths continued to deduct charges, sparking public outrage and political protests.
MSRDC Notice to IRB Infrastructure and Future Reforms
The MSRDC issued a formal notice to the concessionaire, IRB Infrastructure, seeking an explanation for the technical lapse that allowed toll deductions to continue during a state-declared emergency.
To prevent a repeat of this “32-hour nightmare,” a 7-member high-level committee has been formed. This committee is tasked with:
- Investigating the operational failure of the toll suspension.
- Drafting a permanent emergency protocol for “Zero-Toll” windows during disasters.
- Improving highway amenities, including the proposed installation of emergency nursing rooms and better washroom facilities along the Ghat section.
How to Check Your Toll Refund Status
Commuters do not need to file manual applications for the FASTag refund Mumbai-Pune Expressway payout. MSRDC and IRB Infrastructure are cross-referencing transaction logs from the 32-hour window. Affected users will receive an SMS notification once the reimbursement is processed by their respective bank.
As the Mumbai-Pune Expressway traffic news continues to evolve, this refund serves as a significant precedent for commuter rights and corporate accountability on India’s national highways.
