BMC Restricts Mumbai Musical Road Access Nightly After Noise and Safety Complaints

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has ordered the closure of the city’s ‘musical road’ stretch along the Coastal Road during night hours following complaints from residents of Breach Candy over noise pollution and safety concerns. The restriction will be in effect from 11 pm to 7 am until further notice.

The directive was issued by Municipal Commissioner Bhushan Gagrani after repeated complaints from residents living near the stretch. Locals raised concerns about persistent noise disturbance during late hours, along with potential safety risks for motorists using the busy road.

The 500-metre stretch, known as ‘Melody Road', is India’s first musical road and was inaugurated on February 11. Located between Priyadarshini Park and Amarsons Garden, the road produces the tune of the Oscar-winning song Jai Ho when vehicles drive over specially designed grooves embedded in the surface.

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However, what was initially introduced as an innovative urban feature quickly became a point of concern for nearby residents. In formal complaints submitted to the civic body, residents highlighted that the repeated sound generated by passing vehicles was disruptive, particularly during nighttime, affecting the quality of life in the area.

In addition to noise-related issues, residents also flagged road safety concerns. They noted that the musical effect could distract drivers or encourage them to slow down unexpectedly on a high-speed arterial route, increasing the risk of accidents, especially during low-visibility hours.

Taking note of these concerns, the BMC has also initiated a study to measure decibel levels and assess the broader impact of the installation. Officials indicated that further decisions regarding the future of the musical road will depend on the findings of this assessment, as well as continued feedback from residents and traffic authorities.

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