Coastal Road Turns Racing Track: Worli Residents Demand Action Against Noise Pollution

Residents of Worli, Breach Candy, and Napean Sea Road are increasingly troubled by noise pollution along the newly constructed Coastal Road, according to Hindustan Times (HT). Many claim that motorists, particularly those driving luxury cars and bikes, are treating the stretch as a racing track, creating excessive noise and endangering public safety.

Viren Shah, a resident of Madhuli Apartments in Worli, highlighted the issue in a letter to the traffic police. "The noise pollution is at its worst between 10 PM and midnight, with vehicles fitted with loud, modified exhaust systems passing through the area. These modified mufflers produce sounds far above acceptable limits, disturbing the peace in residential areas," he stated, according to the report.

Under the Noise Pollution (Regulation and Control) Rules, 2000, residential areas are required to maintain noise levels below 55 decibels during the day and 45 decibels at night. However, Shah noted that these limits are being regularly breached. He also pointed out that silence zones, such as those near hospitals and schools, must not exceed 50 decibels during the day and 40 decibels at night. "Breach Candy Hospital, located on this route, is severely affected by the noise, disturbing patients and healthcare workers who need a quiet environment," he added in the report.

The problem is particularly severe on Sundays, said Shyam Lulla, president of the Breach Candy Residents' Forum in the report. "Cars and bikes race along the coastal road early in the morning and late at night. Unlike the Bandra-Worli Sea Link, where overspeeding results in fines, no such deterrents exist on the Coastal Road, encouraging reckless driving."

Residents are concerned not only about the noise but also about potential accidents. "On Sunday mornings and late at night, luxury cars like Lamborghinis can be seen speeding. It's a disaster waiting to happen," said Nandini Chabria, another member of the Forum.

The Breach Candy Residents' Forum has approached the authorities, including the Mumbai Traffic Police and the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), demanding action. While the BMC claims that speed-monitoring cameras and mobile vans are in place, residents say these measures are insufficient. "The cameras should have been operational before the road opened," Chabria stressed.

Residents are now urging local authorities to enforce speed limits, activate CCTV cameras, and penalise vehicles with modified mufflers to restore peace and ensure public safety on Coastal Road.