Drives me crazy: Mumbai residents plead for respite from ‘musical road’
Residents of Mumbai's upscale neighborhoods are struggling with noise pollution caused by a newly established ‘musical road’ that plays the tune 'Jai Ho' as vehicles pass over it.
Residents of an affluent neighborhood in Mumbai have expressed their frustration over the recently opened stretch of the Coastal Road expressway, engineered to produce the Oscar-winning tune 'Jai Ho' from the movie Slumdog Millionaire when vehicles travel at lower speeds. While civic officials tout this unique feature as a measure aimed at promoting safer driving, it is causing a significant disturbance for local residents. Most musical roads are typically located in less populated areas, making this installation in a densely populated area particularly contentious.
The road, which runs through Breach Candy, a district known for its wealth and celebrity residents, has been described by over 650 families as an intrusive source of noise pollution that interrupts their daily lives from morning until midnight. The melody 'Jai Ho', which translates to 'let there be victory', is played repeatedly, leading to complaints about constant disruption that affects the quality of life in this high-profile area. Residents have formally lodged complaints, drawing attention to their inability to enjoy their homes due to the incessant musical interruption.
The situation highlights the challenges of urban planning in densely populated cities, where innovative designs meant to enhance public spaces can inadvertently create new issues for residents. The backlash from the community raises important questions about balancing creative urban features with the need for peace and quiet, particularly in residential areas. As the complaint garners attention, it remains to be seen how authorities will respond to these concerns and whether adjustments will be made to the musical road feature to satisfy the demands of the locals.