IRB Assures Toll Refund After 32-Hour Traffic Snarl on Mumbai–Pune Expressway Following Gas Tanker Accident
Mumbai/Pune, 15th February 2026: The toll operator on the Mumbai–Pune Expressway has assured refunds to motorists who were charged during a massive 32-hour traffic jam triggered by the overturning of a propylene gas tanker near Adoshi on February 3.
The accident led to severe congestion after the Pune-to-Mumbai lane was completely shut as a safety precaution. Thousands of vehicles were stranded for several kilometres, resulting in one of the longest traffic snarls reported on the busy corridor in recent times.
Despite the prolonged disruption, toll collection continued at the Khalapur toll plaza, drawing sharp criticism from motorists who said they were forced to pay despite being stuck for hours. The situation sparked outrage, with many drivers questioning the rationale behind collecting toll during such an emergency.
The issue was later taken up by leaders of the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS), who held a meeting at the Khalapur toll plaza with officials from the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC), IRB Infrastructure Developers and the traffic department. During the meeting, MNS representatives demanded accountability and sought a refund for motorists who had paid toll while caught in the gridlock.
Following the discussion, IRB assured that toll charges collected from affected motorists would be refunded. However, details regarding the refund process are yet to be officially announced.
MNS leaders also alleged that IRB prioritises toll collection without adequately providing essential facilities on the expressway. They highlighted the lack of breastfeeding rooms for mothers with newborns, insufficient sanitation facilities, and instances of alleged illegal towing. Several other commuter concerns faced by travellers on the expressway were also raised during the meeting.
The February 3 incident has once again brought attention to emergency response mechanisms and toll policies on the Mumbai–Pune Expressway, one of Maharashtra’s busiest highways.
