A precautionary shutdown of northbound traffic on Mumbai's ambitious Coastal Road was enforced on Tuesday evening after smoke from a minor fire seeped into the crucial tunnel section. The incident, which caused significant traffic congestion, occurred near the iconic Marine Drive promenade.
Incident Timeline and Immediate Response
The alarm was raised at approximately 7:10 PM when motorists inside the Coastal Road tunnel noticed smoke entering the passage. They promptly alerted the police control room. Acting swiftly, the police made the decision to temporarily close the northbound traffic flow as a safety measure.
The source of the smoke was traced to a minor fire under a promenade slab near the Parsi Gate on Marine Drive. According to a civic official, there is a hollow space beneath the promenade where garbage often accumulates, especially during high tide. "Drug addicts are known to use this secluded space," the official stated, suggesting that a carelessly discarded lit matchstick from such individuals might have ignited the refuse.
Fire Brigade Action and Cause of Dense Smoke
The Mumbai Fire Brigade was immediately informed by the police and reached the spot promptly. Firefighters managed to extinguish the flames within 15 to 20 minutes. A fire brigade official confirmed that the fire involved accumulated garbage and plastic bags, materials which typically generate copious amounts of thick, toxic smoke when burned.
Although the fire itself was small and quickly contained, the large volume of smoke it produced found its way into the ventilation or entry points of the adjacent Coastal Road tunnel, creating a hazardous situation for drivers and necessitating the traffic halt.
Traffic Impact and Restoration
The precautionary closure lasted for about half an hour. Authorities restored northbound traffic through the tunnel at 8:10 PM. However, the ripple effect of the shutdown was felt for a longer period. Motorists reported that traffic congestion built up all the way back to Nariman Point, a key business district, as vehicles were diverted or held up due to the tunnel's closure.
This incident highlights a persistent civic challenge—the misuse of public infrastructure spaces and garbage accumulation—which unexpectedly impacted a major urban transport artery. It also tested the emergency response protocols for the relatively new Coastal Road infrastructure, with police and fire services coordinating to prevent a minor incident from escalating.
