Mumbai-Pune Expressway toll refund: MSRDC to return Rs 5.16 crore via FASTag
The Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) has announced it will refund Rs 5.16 crore in toll collected during the shutdown, with the amount to be credited directly to FASTag accounts in the coming days. Officials said the refund covers tolls charged on both the Mumbai-Pune Expressway and affected stretches of the Pune-Bengaluru National Highway during the disruption window. Toll operators have been instructed to share complete FASTag transaction data so that all eligible vehicles can be identified and reimbursed.
“ It has been decided to refund the entire amount collected from vehicle owners even after the order to halt toll collection was issued. The refund of Rs 5.16 crore will be processed by MSRDC and will be directly credited to FASTag accounts in the next few days,” a senior MSRDC official told news agency PTI.
Mumbai-Pune Expressway toll refund: How the 33-hour Mumbai-Pune Expressway jam unfolded
The gridlock began on 3 February when a tanker carrying highly flammable propylene gas overturned near the Adoshi Tunnel in the Khandala Ghat section, close to Khopoli. Authorities closed the Pune-bound carriageway as a precaution and severely restricted movement on the other side while hazardous materials teams worked to secure the leaking tanker. Traffic was diverted to the old Mumbai-Pune Highway but tailbacks still stretched for nearly 20 km and continued for more than 32–33 hours, leaving thousands stranded with limited access to basic amenities.
During the emergency, toll collection was ordered to be suspended, but automatic FASTag deductions had already been triggered for many vehicles before barriers were fully opened, prompting the refund decision. Motorists will not need to file claims; officials say refunds will be processed automatically, and users have been advised to monitor their FASTag statements over the next few days.
Mumbai-Pune Expressway toll refund: Relief today, questions for tomorrow
The Mumbai-Pune Expressway toll refund offers financial relief after an ordeal that exposed how a single hazardous load can paralyse one of India’s busiest corridors. Even as motorists welcome the Rs 5.16 crore FASTag reimbursement, the episode has renewed calls for tighter safety norms and better emergency planning on the ghat stretch to prevent a repeat of such a crippling gridlock.
