Mumbai Residents Voice Strong Opposition to Coastal Road Melody Music Initiative
Just two days following the inauguration of Mumbai's first melody road, residents from the upscale Breach Candy neighborhood have escalated their grievances by writing directly to the Municipal Commissioner. The letter raises substantial objections to the amplified music being broadcast along the northbound stretch of the city's Coastal Road, which traverses through densely populated residential zones.
Residents Express Fatigue Over Non-Essential Civic Projects
In their communication, which was also formally marked to the Chief Minister's Office of Maharashtra, representatives from the Breach Candy Advanced Locality Management (ALM) and the Breach Candy Residents Forum (BCRF) articulated a growing sense of frustration. Representing over 650 families, these community groups emphasized that they are increasingly weary of repeatedly highlighting serious civic issues, only to witness municipal attention diverted towards what they deem avoidable and non-essential interventions.
The residents' letter explicitly states that the melody road initiative has caused "significant distress" and fails to serve any essential public necessity. They argue that such projects contradict the fundamental needs of the community, which are often overlooked in favor of symbolic or novelty infrastructure.
Daily Disruption and Noise Pollution Concerns Amplified
The core of the complaint centers on the operational hours and impact of the installation. Residents report that loud music is played daily from 6:00 AM until midnight along the Mumbai Coastal Road. This continuous auditory intrusion is severely disrupting daily life, compelling many to keep their windows shut constantly to mitigate the noise.
Highlighting Mumbai's existing struggles with excessive honking and pervasive traffic noise, the residents contend that introducing amplified music directly contradicts ongoing civic and environmental efforts to reduce noise pollution. They advocate for initiatives that promote quieter, more liveable urban spaces, rather than adding to the acoustic chaos.
Anahita Havaldar, a concerned resident, elaborated: "Many of us prefer quiet surroundings or have our own personal music choices. We respectfully request that this melody road be discontinued immediately. The substantial resources allocated to this project could be far better directed towards essential civic improvements such as repairing roads, constructing proper pavements, and enhancing overall cleanliness in our neighborhoods."Personal Accounts of Disturbance from Affected Residents
Kavita Chawla, whose apartment directly faces the coastal road, provided a poignant personal account of the disturbance. She described how the music, combined with the constant noise from speeding vehicles, creates a persistent echo within their building complex throughout the day, making it nearly impossible to find peace or sleep.
"We are already grappling with significant traffic congestion and incessant honking due to the Coastal Road exit being situated right near our building. There are numerous vehicles entering and exiting this locality daily. This additional layer of amplified music is the last thing we need. We are simply requesting the basic right to peace and quiet in our own homes," Chawla stated.
Background on the Melody Road Inauguration
The controversial initiative was officially inaugurated on February 11th by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. The project involved laying special grooves over a 500-metre stretch on the first lane adjacent to the road divider. The engineering principle is that when vehicles travel over these grooves at a prescribed speed of 70 to 80 kilometers per hour, the vibrations produce the recognizable tune of ‘Jai Ho’ from the acclaimed film Slumdog Millionaire inside the vehicle.
While promoted as an innovative urban feature, the resident backlash underscores a significant disconnect between project intentions and ground-level community impact, raising critical questions about urban planning priorities in one of India's most bustling metropolitan areas.
