Pune: A proposal by the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) to refund Rs 5.16 crore toll collected amounting to around 1.20 lakh commuters remains pending with the public works department (PWD) for approval, senior officials from MSRDC told TOI on Saturday.Senior MSRDC officials said the proposal has been submitted to the parent department – the PWD – and is awaiting clearance. The refund was announced following widespread protests by opposition leaders and activists after a 32-hour traffic standstill on the Mumbai–Pune Expressway on Feb 3.“The proposal was put up. However due to the legislative session last month, there was a delay in approval. We should get the approval soon,” senior officials said. The officials said the toll collected during the disruption included charges from both the Mumbai–Pune Expressway and NH-48.In Feb, MSRDC had assured that it would initiate the refund process for commuters affected by the prolonged disruption, triggered by a propylene gas tanker overturning near Khopoli, resulting in blocking traffic towards Mumbai for nearly 32 hours.MSRDC had sought detailed data from its concessionaire, IRB Infrastructure, on FASTag deductions made despite instructions to suspend toll collection following the incident. Citizens have been demanding the refund and have also posted messages on social media regarding the delay.“The govt announces that the process will be completed soon. Now, after two months, the proposal is not even cleared by the parent department. It is unlikely it will be reimbursed considering the funds crunch,” said an affected traveller.
