October 06, 2025: The Mumbai Coastal Road, once celebrated as a symbol of the city’s modern infrastructure, is increasingly raising safety concerns. Frequent incidents of overspeeding and a recent car fire inside the tunnel have prompted the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) to take corrective measures. Authorities are now considering the installation of specially designed speed bumps to curb accidents along the stretch.
“The administration is in discussions with the traffic department about placing specific types of speed breakers at crucial points to prevent accidents,” said Mantayya Swamy, Chief Engineer, Coastal Road Project. He added that a detailed study is also underway to understand why accidents are occurring in the tunnel section.
The Coastal Road has varying speed limits — 60 kmph inside the tunnel, 80 kmph on open stretches, and 40 kmph near interchanges. However, violations remain rampant. Despite the presence of high-tech surveillance cameras at both ends, many motorists flout rules, with some even encroaching on the dedicated BEST bus lane, increasing the risk of collisions.
According to Mumbai Traffic Police, over 4,000 motorists have been fined this year for speeding, with penalties totaling Rs 82 lakh, of which Rs 31 lakh has been recovered. Luxury vehicles such as BMWs, Audis, and Mercedes-Benze feature prominently among offenders, as per RTO data cited by Lokmat. To enhance enforcement, interceptor vehicles and dedicated squads have been deployed at key entry and exit points to monitor the 18,000–20,000 vehicles using the road daily.
However, citizens emphasise that stricter enforcement alone is not enough. “We just want to feel secure driving here. Every week, there’s news of some mishap,” said a Breach Candy resident who uses the Coastal Road regularly.
Source: The Free Press Journal
