Are musical journeys a thing? As a first for India, Mumbai introduced this unique project on the Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj Coastal Road. Shortly after exiting the Coastal Road tunnel, commuters will enter the 500-metre-long Music Road, which has been constructed on the northern road between Nariman Point and Worli.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis graced the inauguration along with Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. Initiated by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), this stretch was constructed using specially designed ram tracks placed in the asphalt at regular intervals and depths.
- In a post on X, BMC said, “🛣️Dharmaveer, Swarajya Rakshak Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj Chinari Road’s Musical Road was inaugurated today in the presence of Hon’ble Chief Minister Shri. Devendra Fadnavis and Deputy Chief Minister Shri. Eknath Shinde..”
The post added, “Special music strips installed on the stretch from Session Rimmon Point to Worli will allow drivers to hear the tune ‘Jai Ho’ from the movie ‘Slumdog Millionaire’.”
What happens when vehicles drive over these grooves?
Motorists traveling at around 60 to 80 kmph will be able to hear the tune of ‘Jai Ho’, AR Rahman’s award-winning composition for Slumdog Millionaire.
Musical Road: How does it work?
The interaction between the tires and the road surface creates vibrations that generate sound waves, recreating the melody of the song “Jai Ho” from Danny Boyle’s Oscar-winning film.
The Mumbai Municipal Corporation installed signboards 500 meters, 100 meters and 60 meters before the music section. These signboards are also displayed in the tunnel section.
Reaction on social networks
Reacting to the music road development, one user mocked the authorities and said, “Thank you BMC for installing this ‘music road’ in my area.” He attached a video to the issue of the road situation in other parts of the city.
Another user wrote: “No proper suburban roads and music way south? (sic)”
A third comment read: “The roads are not cleared and pothole free.”‘
A fourth user said: “What? Did we need MORE noise on our roads? Or did some genius think we’d stop honking because ‘let’s listen to that song again’?”
A fifth user commented: “Great… I saw it on social media for a few months and now it’s in India. Thanks govt and @mybmc.”
A country with melodious paths
The concept was first introduced in Japan in 2007 and has since been implemented in many countries including Hungary, South Korea and the United Arab Emirates. in India, the melody road installation in Mumbai is the first of its kind.