Coastal Road Becomes Racing Track: SoBo Residents Demand Action on Noise Pollution
Coastal Road Becomes Racing Track: SoBo Residents Demand Action on Noise Pollution
Luxury vehicles and bikes disrupt peace with high-speed races and noise pollution.
Residents of South Bombay’s Worli, Breach Candy, and Napean Sea Road are raising concerns over increasing noise pollution and dangerous car racing along the newly constructed Coastal Road. The issue, highlighted by Hindustan Times, points to motorists, especially luxury car and bike owners, turning the road into an unofficial racing track.
Under the Noise Pollution (Regulation and Control) Rules, 2000, ambient noise levels in residential areas must not exceed 55 dB during the day and 45 dB at night. However, residents report noise levels far beyond these limits, especially between 10 PM and midnight. Vehicles with loud, modified exhaust systems have become a particular nuisance, disrupting the peace in areas such as Breach Candy Hospital and other residential complexes nearby.
“Patients and healthcare workers in the hospital, who require a quiet environment, are severely impacted,” a Breach Candy Residents’ Forum member said, emphasizing the urgency of addressing the issue.
Residents allege that speeding vehicles, including Lamborghinis and other luxury cars, frequent the Coastal Road during late-night hours and Sunday mornings. Co-founder of the Breach Candy Residents’ Forum, remarked, “There’s a disaster waiting to happen on account of the speed. And for those living nearby, the noise is unbearable.”
The Forum also highlighted the absence of active CCTV cameras and speed-limit enforcement on the Coastal Road, enabling reckless drivers to exploit the stretch. They compared it to the Bandra-Worli Sea Link, where motorists are fined ₹1,500 for exceeding the speed limit of 80 km/h.
Despite repeated complaints, residents feel that authorities have been slow to act. The Forum has approached the assistant traffic police in Worli, stressing the life-threatening risks posed by unchecked racing. They are now urging local authorities to take immediate steps, including:
- Enforcing speed limits.
- Installing and activating CCTV cameras.
- Penalizing vehicles with modified mufflers.
The Breach Candy Residents’ Forum warns that without swift action, both public safety and the area’s peaceful environment will remain under threat. “This menace isn’t just about noise; it’s about saving lives and restoring order,” said a Forum member.
As residents await action, the issue underscores the broader challenge of balancing urban development with public safety and environmental concerns.
