A review of the musical road installed on the northbound stretch of the Mumbai Coastal Road has been initiated after complaints were raised by residents of Breach Candy. The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has instructed its consultant to examine possible solutions and has ordered a noise decibel study to assess the impact of the sound generated by the road. The musical stretch, inaugurated on February 11, was introduced as India’s first road designed to play the melody of A. R. Rahman’s “Jai Ho” when vehicles pass over specially engineered grooves at speeds between 70 and 80 km/h. However, what was meant to be an innovative driving feature has drawn strong objections from residents living nearby.
A noise decibel study is a technical assessment used to measure the intensity of sound in a particular area and determine whether it falls within permissible limits set for urban environments. Sound levels are measured in decibels (dB) using specialised instruments such as sound level meters. In residential zones, authorities typically monitor noise levels at different times of the day to evaluate whether a source of sound causes disturbance or exceeds environmental noise standards. The findings of such studies help civic bodies and environmental regulators decide whether modifications, restrictions, or mitigation measures are required to reduce noise pollution.
More than 650 families from the Breach Candy area reportedly signed a formal complaint last month and submitted it to Municipal Commissioner Bhushan Gagrani. In the letter, residents described the musical road as a constant and intrusive background noise that disrupts daily life. According to them, the sound created when vehicles pass over the grooves travels into nearby homes, making it difficult to keep windows open. Residents also questioned the purpose of the installation, arguing that it offers limited public benefit while contradicting the goal of creating quieter and more liveable neighbourhoods.
Civic officials have acknowledged the concerns raised by residents and stated that the consultant responsible for the project has been asked to propose technical solutions that could reduce the disturbance without compromising the road’s intended design. Authorities have also begun monitoring decibel levels, particularly during night hours, and have said that further decisions will be taken based on the results of the noise assessment.
The musical stretch is located on the northbound lane of the Coastal Road between Nariman Point and Worli, about 500 metres beyond the tunnel section. The project was developed at an estimated cost of ₹6 crore. Special grooves on the road surface create vibrations when vehicle tyres pass over them, producing musical notes that together form the “Jai Ho” melody. To alert motorists, the BMC had installed signage at distances of 500 metres, 100 metres, and 60 metres before the musical section.
The concept of musical roads originated in Japan in 2007 when engineer Shizuo Shinoda observed that grooves created during road construction produced distinct sounds as vehicles drove over them. The idea later evolved into engineered “melody roads,” which have since been implemented in several countries including Japan, Hungary, South Korea, and the United Arab Emirates. The ongoing study by the BMC is expected to determine whether modifications will be needed to ensure the feature does not disturb residents living near the Coastal Road.
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