Residents Oppose ‘Melody Road’ on Coastal Road, Seek Immediate Removal

Over 650 Breach Candy families complain of noise disturbance and safety risks from musical rumble strips

Residents of Breach Candy have strongly objected to the newly introduced ‘Melody Road’ on the Coastal Road, just days after it began operating. More than 650 families have written to Municipal Commissioner Bhushan Gagrani asking authorities to stop the experiment, saying it is creating noise pollution and possible traffic dangers.

The project uses special rumble strips that play the tune Jai Ho when vehicles drive over them at a fixed speed. It was introduced to promote safer driving, but locals say the music has become a constant disturbance.

According to residents, the tune plays from 6 am until midnight, adding to the already heavy traffic noise in the area. Housing groups and local forums said the sound enters homes as a continuous background noise, forcing many people to keep windows closed. Senior citizens in particular have reported discomfort.

Residents also warned about safety issues. Since the stretch is meant for fast-moving traffic, drivers may slow down or get distracted while trying to hear the tune. This, they say, could lead to rear-end crashes or other high-speed accidents.

Locals further pointed out that the area already faces problems from honking and engine noise. They claim the added music has made the sound situation worse, affecting nearby schools and hospitals where silence is important.

In their letter — also sent to the Maharashtra Chief Minister’s Office — residents said they are frustrated that important civic problems remain unresolved while such experiments are introduced. They added that traffic noise from speeding vehicles on the Coastal Road is itself still an ongoing concern.

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation has not yet released an official statement. Residents have urged officials to review the project immediately and remove the musical stretch to protect public safety and neighbourhood peace.