The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) and the Mumbai Fire Brigade have planned mock drills, public awareness campaigns and improvements to emergency communication systems following the July 15 car fire incident inside the Mumbai Coastal Road’s undersea tunnel. The measures were discussed during two emergency review meetings held on Thursday to assess the response to the incident and identify steps to prevent similar situations in the future.

The review meetings were conducted a day after a moving car caught fire in the southbound section of the coastal road tunnel, causing thick smoke to spread through parts of the underground passage. The incident triggered panic among motorists, with several drivers abandoning their vehicles and others attempting U-turns inside the tunnel while trying to escape. Officials said all five occupants of the vehicle involved in the fire managed to exit safely and no injuries were reported.

However, the situation highlighted concerns over emergency response coordination and public behaviour during incidents inside enclosed infrastructure. The tunnel was temporarily closed following the fire as authorities carried out safety checks. During the meetings, officials maintained that the tunnel’s existing safety infrastructure functioned as intended and ruled out any major failure in the systems installed inside the facility. However, they acknowledged the need for improvements in coordination between agencies, communication mechanisms and public awareness regarding emergency procedures.

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One of the key decisions taken during the discussions was to streamline coordination between different agencies involved in tunnel emergencies. Officials said the response process took longer than expected due to delays in coordination, and steps would be taken to ensure faster communication and quicker action during future incidents. Authorities are also planning regular mock drills to familiarise emergency personnel and motorists with safety procedures inside the tunnel.

The exercises are expected to test response times, evacuation protocols and coordination between the Mumbai Fire Brigade, civic authorities and other agencies. Officials said awareness campaigns will be conducted to educate motorists on how to respond during emergencies inside the tunnel. Authorities are expected to focus on discouraging panic-driven actions such as abandoning vehicles or attempting unsafe manoeuvres during a fire or other emergency. The Mumbai Coastal Road project, which includes one of India’s first major undersea road tunnels, was developed to improve connectivity and reduce travel time across the city.

Given the complexity of operating underground infrastructure, officials have emphasised the importance of maintaining strict safety standards and ensuring that emergency systems remain effective. The BMC and Mumbai Fire Brigade said the latest measures are aimed at strengthening preparedness and improving public confidence in the tunnel’s safety. Further reviews and technical assessments will continue as authorities work towards creating a more efficient emergency response framework for the coastal road tunnel.

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