Mumbai-Pune Expressway Toll Refund: Rs5.2 Crore to Be Refunded to 1.2 Lakh Motorists After Gas Tanker Accident
Mumbai-Pune Expressway Toll Refund: Rs5.2 Crore to Be Refunded to 1.2 Lakh Motorists After Gas Tanker Accident
News Report: Maharashtra | February 2026
In a major relief for commuters, around 1.2 lakh vehicle owners affected by the massive traffic disruption on the Mumbai-Pune Expressway will receive a toll refund worth approximately ₹5.16 crore. The disruption followed a gas tanker accident near Khopoli on February 3, which led to nearly 32 hours of traffic congestion on the expressway.
According to officials from the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC), the refund will apply not only to toll collected on the Mumbai-Pune Expressway but also on sections of the Pune-Bengaluru National Highway during the disruption period.
FASTag Refund Process Underway
A senior MSRDC official confirmed that toll collection was officially ordered to be suspended after the accident. However, due to automated FASTag systems, toll amounts were still deducted in several cases. Data of all affected vehicles has now been compiled, and the refund process has been initiated.
“All identified cases will receive refunds directly into their FASTag-linked accounts. The amount will be credited digitally within the coming week,” an official said.
Role of Toll Operator
MSRDC has also sought detailed reports from its toll concessionaire, IRB Infrastructure, to identify system-based deductions. Authorities clarified that until toll plaza barriers are fully opened, automated FASTag transactions may still occur — which is why some deductions happened despite toll suspension.
Why Toll Collection Was Stopped
After the gas tanker accident near Khopoli, traffic was severely affected, with vehicle queues stretching 40–50 km at several points. Thousands of commuters were stranded for hours without access to food, water, or sanitation facilities. Women and elderly passengers faced serious hardships, prompting authorities to temporarily suspend toll collection as an emergency measure.
Conclusion:
The Maharashtra government and MSRDC have prioritised refunding affected commuters, ensuring that all wrongly deducted toll amounts are returned digitally via FASTag. This move is being seen as a significant administrative relief for thousands of stranded travelers impacted by one of the worst traffic disruptions on the Mumbai-Pune Expressway in recent times.
