tech
February 23, 2026
Drives me crazy: Mumbai residents plead for respite from ‘musical road’
Motorway stretch plays music as a safety feature but those close to it say ‘intrusive’ noise is constant and distressing
TL;DR
- Mumbai's first musical road, on the Coastal Road expressway, plays the tune 'Jai Ho' at lower speeds.
- The feature is intended to encourage safer driving by creating vibrations that produce the tune.
- Residents in the nearby Breach Candy neighborhood find the music from 6 am to midnight to be constant and intrusive.
- More than 650 families have formally complained about the 'auditory distraction' and distress caused.
- The concept of musical roads originated in Japan in 2007, with similar installations in other countries.
- Authorities defend the feature as a safety measure and innovation, while residents argue it's a gimmick distracting from other concerns like high-speed cars.
- The Coastal Road project itself has been controversial, with critics stating it primarily benefits car owners.
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