Mumbai has introduced India’s first musical road, a 500‑metre stretch on the Coastal Road officially named Dharmaveer Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj Marg. The northbound carriageway between Nariman Point and Worli plays the iconic Jai Ho melody when vehicles pass over it at 70–80 km/h. The initiative has generated excitement, curiosity, and a wave of online humour about city roads.
Stand-up comedian Azeem Banatwalla shared a satirical take in a video that quickly went viral. “It works correctly for everyone who’s driving at the speed limit of around 70 or 80 kmph, but this does mean that if you are a Creta driver, you will hear a sped-up dance remix. I’m sure that Gulzar sahib is very excited that his lyrics can now be sung by MRF tyres as he always intended them to,” he said.
Banatwalla highlighted the contrast between the celebratory tone of the musical road and the everyday challenges faced by Mumbaikars. “But while people are doing song remixes on the Coastal Road, can I remind you that this is what is outside most of our houses in Mumbai right now. Spare a thought for those of us who don’t even have a road outside our house. It’s not fair,” he remarked.
He suggested imaginative soundtracks for other city roads: Kanye West for Khar West, Linkin Park on Linking Road, Alter Bridge in Mira Bhayandar, and Green Day’s “Boulevard of Broken Dreams” in Andheri. “The roads don’t even need actual music; every time I hit a pothole, my lower back channels the pained vocals of Atif Aslam,” he added.
The video sparked lively online engagement, with viewers sharing their own “road soundtracks.” One user quipped, “Coast Road: Jai Ho, Rest of Mumbai: JCB ho.”
The 500‑metre musical stretch features carefully cut rumble strips along the central divider, creating vibrations that play the tune when driven over at the right speed. The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) inaugurated the stretch in the presence of Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, marking a creative addition to Mumbai’s urban infrastructure.
Source: News18
