The recently inaugurated south-bound coastal road tunnel in Mumbai has encountered a significant setback, as it fails to provide seamless mobile
connectivity to motorists traversing the route from Breach Candy to Marine Drive. The city’s telecom department has alerted BMC commissioner to this deficiency, highlighting the inability of commuters to access emergency services during the 5–10-minute journey through the 3.5km stretch. According to officials associated with the Mumbai Coastal Road project, efforts are underway to address this issue promptly. Installation of antennas inside the tunnel is currently in progress, with completion expected by May 15. This initiative aims to rectify the mobile connectivity shortcomings experienced by motorists and ensure access to emergency services, especially crucial during disaster situations. In correspondence dated March 15, the telecom department, operating under the Government of India’s Department of Telecommunication (DoT), informed BMC about the challenges faced by commuters due to the lack of seamless mobile connectivity in the coastal road tunnel. Not only do commuters experience disruptions in their mobile network, but even BMC staff engaged in maintenance activities and emergency response are unable to access mobile services within the tunnel.
The letter urged BMC to expedite the approval process for the installation of indoor building solutions and BTS antenna systems within the tunnel. Additionally, collaboration with telecom service providers and infrastructure providers licensed by DoT was recommended to ensure uninterrupted telecom network and services across all infrastructure projects. Responding to inquiries, a senior official from the coastal road project revealed that a letter of intent has been issued to OSR Teleservices Pvt Ltd for the installation of booster antennas in the tunnel, with an expected completion timeline of 15 days. These antennas, to be strategically placed in cross-passages within the tunnel, are projected to generate rental revenue of approximately Rs 1.1 lakh per month for BMC. The completion of the entire Mumbai Coastal Road project is slated for June, with 87% of the work already accomplished. Addressing the mobile connectivity issue in the coastal road tunnel is deemed essential to ensure a seamless commuting experience for motorists and enhance emergency response capabilities along the route.
