A moving car caught fire inside Mumbai's Coastal Road tunnel on Wednesday, triggering panic among motorists, causing a massive traffic jam and raising fresh concerns over emergency preparedness in one of the city's key transport corridors. While no casualties were reported, hundreds of commuters were stranded inside the tunnel for an extended period, with several describing the ordeal as one of the most terrifying experiences they had ever faced. The incident occurred at around 12.25 pm in the southbound tunnel carrying traffic from Haji Ali towards Worli, according to civic officials.
The blaze erupted in a moving vehicle, bringing traffic to a complete standstill as thick smoke and flames spread inside the enclosed tunnel. Firefighters responded swiftly and managed to extinguish the fire shortly after noon, preventing the incident from escalating further. Despite the absence of injuries, the fire sparked questions about the tunnel's safety infrastructure, emergency evacuation procedures and traffic management systems. Commuters trapped inside the tunnel said the situation quickly descended into confusion, with vehicles unable to move as smoke reduced visibility and panic spread among motorists.
Among those caught in the traffic was Viren Shah, a Mumbai-based clothing trader and president of the Federation of Retail Traders Welfare Association (FRTWA). Recounting the incident, Shah said he was driving from NSCI, Worli, to his office on Marine Drive through the Coastal Road tunnel when he suddenly noticed flames ahead. "Today, I had one of the most frightening experiences of my life while driving on my daily route from NSCI, Worli to my office at 'Roopam' on Marine Drive through the Coastal Road tunnel," Shah said.
Also Read: Giant Banner Collapses on Moving Bike in Thane, Couple Escapes Unhurt
He described seeing flames stretching across the tunnel a few hundred feet ahead of his vehicle, creating the impression that the fire was moving towards the line of stationary cars. "Within seconds, traffic came to a complete standstill," he added. Several commuters likened the scene to a "Hollywood disaster movie," recalling moments of panic as smoke filled parts of the tunnel and vehicles remained trapped with limited room to manoeuvre. Although emergency personnel eventually brought the situation under control, the incident highlighted the challenges of responding to fires in enclosed underground road tunnels, where evacuation and firefighting operations can be more complex than on open roads.
Authorities have not yet disclosed the exact cause of the fire, and an investigation is expected to determine whether it resulted from a mechanical fault, an electrical issue or another factor. Officials are also likely to review the functioning of the tunnel's fire detection, ventilation and emergency response systems as part of the inquiry. The Mumbai Coastal Road project is one of the city's flagship infrastructure initiatives aimed at reducing travel time and easing congestion along the western seafront. Wednesday's incident, however, has prompted renewed scrutiny of safety protocols within the tunnel, with experts stressing the need for regular emergency drills, robust ventilation systems and clear evacuation procedures to ensure commuter safety in the event of similar emergencies in the future.
Also Read: Police Suspend Hyderabad Officer After Minor Granddaughter Drove Car On Public Road