Mumbai Motorist Fined ₹2.65 Lakh After Car Crashes Into Sea Barrier
Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has fined a motorist ₹2.65 lakh for damaging safety infrastructure after his car broke through guardrails and plunged into the sea. The incident, which occurred on October 7, underscores growing civic concerns about overspeeding and reckless driving along the newly opened coastal corridor.
According to civic officials, the accident involved a 29-year-old motorist from Tardeo who lost control of his vehicle near the Marine Drive stretch, breaking through the metal barriers and crashing into the sea. Security personnel and local fishermen assisted in his rescue, and the car was later retrieved using magnetic lifting equipment.Following an assessment of the damage, the BMC’s Coastal Road department issued a recovery notice, demanding ₹2.65 lakh towards repair costs for the damaged guardrails. The civic body has also warned that if the fine is not paid, it may recover the amount through the driver’s property tax.
A senior civic engineer said the move aims to send a strong message to motorists violating traffic norms. “This is not an isolated case. There have been several minor accidents involving damage to guardrails, but this one caused significant structural harm. Such penalties are meant to deter reckless behaviour,” the official added.Speeding Violations on the Rise Authorities revealed that the Coastal Road has witnessed a sharp rise in speeding and stunt driving incidents, particularly during late-night hours. Since the installation of automated cameras in July 2025, over 8,000 speeding cases have been recorded up to September. Footage has captured vehicles travelling at speeds as high as 147 km/h, far exceeding the prescribed limits of 60 km/h within tunnels and 80 km/h elsewhere.
Officials said that the BMC and Mumbai Police are now working together to increase patrolling and strengthen deterrence mechanisms through fines and speed-monitoring systems. “This is a world-class road, but driver discipline remains a concern. We are treating damage to public infrastructure as a civic liability,” an official stated The Coastal Road, one of Mumbai’s largest infrastructure investments, was designed to ease traffic congestion while improving travel time along the western corridor. However, experts say that consistent enforcement of safety norms is crucial to ensure its sustainable operation.Urban transport planners suggest that better awareness, stricter speed controls, and visible policing can prevent repeat incidents. The BMC has confirmed that additional safety signage and reinforced barriers are being evaluated for accident-prone points along the route.
