Mumbai: Following requests from local residents, the Mumbai Traffic Police (MTP) has urged the Mumbai Coastal Road project (MCRP) authorities to install sound barriers along the road to shield locals from noise caused by speeding vehicles, especially at night. So far, the MTP have taken action against 3,260 individuals for driving above the speed limit on the Coastal Road.
The speed limit on open sections of the coastal road is 80 km/h, while it is 60 km/h inside the tunnels. However, the residents of Breach Candy, Nepeansea road and Worli has complained about the high speed of vehicles and racing on the Coastal Road, causing noise pollution, especially during the night.
In his letter to the Chief Engineer (MCRP), Rajendra Godse, Police Officer In-Charge, Tardeo Traffic Department, stated, "We have received a complaint regarding the noise disturbance caused to the residents of the nearby residential complex due to racing cars being driven at high speeds on the coastal road during the night."
He further added that, "Action is being taken against 3,260 vehicles exceeding speed limits using speed guns by the Regional Transport Office and Highway Police. To reduce noise disturbances caused by these vehicles to nearby residents and hospital patients, it is essential to install sound barriers along the route. As this matter falls under your jurisdiction, I am submitting the complaint for your information and further action."
However, a senior civic official said, "No final decision has been taken yet on the matter." The central government's Noise Pollution (Regulation and Control) Rules, 2000, mandate that ambient noise should not exceed 55 dB during daytime and 45dB during nighttime in residential areas.
For silence zones, it is 50dB and 40 dB respectively. Anti-noise campaigners said that noise from traffic can range between 80 and 110 dB on the lower floors of a high-rise building located on a road.
To ensure smooth traffic flow on the coastal road from Marine Drive to Bandra-Worli Sea Link, the BMC has installed 154 cameras to monitor vehicle movements inside the tunnels.
An allocation of Rs 8 crores has been approved to install 28 speed detection cameras along the route. Additionally, the BMC has identified three key locations for traffic chowkies and police stations to enhance safety and facilitate quick emergency response.
