Around one lakh motorists stranded in the massive traffic jam on the Mumbai–Pune Expressway earlier this month will receive a total toll refund of ₹5.16 crore, the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) has said. The amount will be credited directly to the FASTag accounts of the affected commuters.
The unprecedented congestion was caused on February 3 after a gas tanker overturned near the Khopoli stretch, severely disrupting traffic movement on one of the country’s busiest highways. The accident led to a standstill that lasted for nearly 33 hours, with vehicles stuck in long queues for several kilometres. Thousands of passengers, including families and elderly travellers, were left stranded on the road without access to food, water or medical help for hours.
Authorities had ordered the suspension of toll collection soon after the scale of the disruption became clear. However, toll charges continued to be deducted automatically from several FASTag accounts before the system was fully halted. Following complaints from commuters, MSRDC reviewed the transactions and decided to refund the entire amount collected during the period of the traffic blockade.
Officials said detailed FASTag data is being examined to identify every vehicle that was charged despite the toll suspension. The refund will apply to toll collected at both ends of the expressway during the disruption. The toll operator has been directed to complete the reconciliation process and ensure the money is returned to commuters at the earliest.
The Mumbai–Pune Expressway is a crucial link between the two cities and handles heavy daily traffic. The incident triggered public anger over the toll collection during a prolonged highway closure. The refund decision is expected to provide relief to affected motorists and address concerns over automated toll deductions during emergencies.