Too Noisy: Mumbai’s ‘Melody Road’ Faces Backlash Over Noise, Safety Concerns Days After Launch
Too Noisy: Mumbai’s ‘Melody Road’ Faces Backlash Over Noise, Safety Concerns Days After Launch
Breach Candy residents write to civic chief seeking immediate closure of musical stretch on Coastal Road
Mumbai: The newly introduced ‘Melody Road’ experiment on Mumbai’s Coastal Road has triggered strong opposition from residents of Breach Candy, just days after its launch. Over 650 families have written to Municipal Commissioner Bhushan Gagrani demanding that the musical stretch be discontinued, citing noise pollution and safety concerns.
The initiative, designed to play the tune ‘Jai Ho’ when vehicles pass over specially designed rumble strips at the correct speed, was intended to encourage safe driving. However, residents say the constant sound has become a daily disturbance.
According to the complaint letter, the tune plays from 6 am to midnight and adds to the already high traffic noise in the area. The Breach Candy Advanced Locality Management (ALM) and Residents Forum stated that the sound enters homes as a constant, muffled but intrusive background noise. Many households have reportedly begun keeping their windows shut, while senior citizens have expressed discomfort.
Residents have also raised safety concerns. The northbound stretch of the Coastal Road is meant for fast-moving traffic. Locals argue that drivers may get distracted while trying to hear the music. Some vehicles are allegedly slowing down abruptly to catch the tune, increasing the risk of rear-end collisions or high-speed accidents.
The community has pointed out that the area already struggles with persistent horn-honking and engine noise. They say adding amplified music has worsened the sound environment. Schools and hospitals located nearby are also affected, with residents stating that continuous music can disturb students and patients.
In their letter, a copy of which has also been sent to the Maharashtra Chief Minister’s Office, residents said they are increasingly frustrated that serious civic concerns remain unaddressed while non-essential projects move forward. They also highlighted that noise from speeding vehicles on the Coastal Road remains a separate unresolved issue.
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has not yet issued an official response to the complaint. Residents have urged authorities to review the experiment immediately and discontinue the musical stretch in the interest of public safety and neighbourhood well-being.
