Mumbai has also added one additional feather to a cap of urban marvels. There is a 500-meter stretch of the newly launched Dharmaveer Swatantrya Veer Savarkar Coastal Road that has been transformed into a “Musical Road” and it has proven as a trailblazing initiative in India.
How Does It Work?
The technology underpinning the Musical Road consists of a series of precisely spaced grooves (rumble strips) carved into the asphalt. When a car traveling through the grooves at a certain speed (calibrated for 60 kmph on this stretch), vibrations brought about by the tires hitting each groove create specific musical notes. These tunes, when put together, are the melody of ‘Jai Ho’.
“This is not just an aesthetic feature,” said Ashwin Pathak, a BMC engineer of the project. “It’s a dazzling engineering feat that gives motorists a sudden burst of surprise and joy by way of a kind of reminder, softly prompting us to keep our speed as good as possible.”
THIS ROAD IN MUMBAI ACTUALLY PLAYS MUSIC! 🎶
— Ali Mustufa (@ialimustufa) February 12, 2026
The engineering is insane: As you drive over the grooves, the friction creates a melody;
(Please ignore my screaming in the video, the excitement was REAL 😂) pic.twitter.com/QcZkhj1kk7
The ‘Jai Ho’ Symphony
The choice of AR Rahman’s Oscar-winning ‘Jai Ho’ is symbolic, reflecting the spirit of Mumbai and India’s progress. The melody plays clearly inside the vehicle, enhancing the driving experience between Marine Drive and Worli.
Location and Accessibility
The Musical Road is situated at a particular section of the South-bound carriageway of the Coastal Road. It starts about 2 kilometers after the entrance point from Marine Drive, near the entrance of the underground tunnel.
Here's how to experience it:
- Entry: From Marine Drive (south-bound) via the Coastal Road.
- Speed: Keep it at 60 kmph consistently.
- Listen: As you pass through the grooved section, the melody will play through your car's tyres.
Global Inspiration and Future Prospects
Although it's a first for India, Musical Roads have been run in a number of countries, such as Japan, South Korea and the United States mainly for road safety avoiding speeding and drowsy driving. Mumbai’s Musical Road has the potential to do the same for new projects all over India. An opportunity is already under discussion to apply this idea to other expressways in India or even link it with public awareness campaigns on traffic safety.
