Mumbai Pune Expressway toll refund announced: When and how you will get the amount back in your account

More than one lakh motorists stuck in a massive traffic jam on the Mumbai–Pune Expressway earlier this month will now get their toll money back. The Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) will refund ₹5.16 crore to vehicle owners whose FASTag accounts were charged during the 33-hour disruption after a gas tanker accident on February 3.

Mumbai Pune 33-hour expressway jam

The disruption began after a gas tanker turned turtle near the Khopoli stretch. Traffic came to a standstill for several kilometres and many travellers remained stuck for hours without basic amenities like water and food. The gridlock continued for around 33 hours, affecting more than one lakh vehicles.

Authorities had ordered toll collection to be stopped immediately after the accident. But many FASTag deductions had already gone through by the time the order reached the toll plazas.

Mumbai Pune Expressway Toll Return Charges

MSRDC has now decided to refund the full amount collected during that period. A senior official said the total refund amount will be ₹5.16 crore and will be returned to affected motorists.

"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 ₹5.16 crore will be processed by MSRDC. The amount will be directly credited to FASTag accounts of affected vehicle owners in the next few days," the official told PTI.

The refund will include toll collected on both sides of the expressway, and the toll operator has been asked to provide complete FASTag transaction details.

When and how you will get toll money back

Motorists do not need to file any claim. The refund process will happen automatically.

• The toll operator will submit FASTag transaction data to MSRDC
• Transactions collected after the halt order will be verified
• The refund amount will be credited directly to FASTag-linked accounts

The official clarified that some transactions were processed automatically before toll barriers were fully opened, even after instructions to stop collection.

"Some transactions may have been automatically processed before the toll plaza barriers were fully opened despite instructions to stop collection. All such transactions are being scrutinised and the amounts will be returned to the concerned motorists," the official said.

The decision offers relief to motorists who faced long delays and also paid toll during the disruption. It also shows how FASTag-based systems can be tracked and corrected after an emergency event.

For regular commuters on the Mumbai–Pune route, the refund move is a reminder that authorities can reverse toll deductions when service is disrupted due to accidents or emergencies.

(Inputs from PTI)