Two New Fire Stations to Enhance Mumbai Coastal Road Safety
In a bid to enhance safety along the Mumbai Coastal Road, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has announced the construction of two fire stations on the reclaimed land adjacent to the road. This initiative aims to provide faster emergency response times for firefighters, ensuring that they can access critical locations in both the city and its suburbs more efficiently.
The 10.58-km Coastal Road, which spans from the Princess Street Flyover at Marine Drive to the Bandra-Worli Sea Link, significantly reduces travel time by cutting the journey from 45-50 minutes to just 10-12 minutes. With key interchanges located at strategic spots such as Haji Ali, Peddar Road (Amarsons Garden), and Worli Sea Face, the project is designed to ease congestion and streamline traffic flow across Mumbai. However, as traffic volume increases on this vital route, so do safety concerns. The Mumbai Fire Brigade has advocated for the construction of two new fire stations on the 90 hectares of reclaimed land along the coastal stretch. This area will also house other amenities such as gardens and parking lots. “The fire brigade has requested the construction of fire stations to ensure quick access to emergency locations, especially since there have been incidents of vehicles catching fire on the Coastal Road. The proposal is in its early stages, as it requires several permissions and suitable spots on the reclaimed land,” explained a civic official.
In addition to fire safety, the BMC has been responding to complaints from residents of Breach Candy and Napean Sea Road about noise pollution and dangerous driving. Locals have reported that cars and motorcycles treat the Coastal Road like a racing track, increasing both noise and safety risks. In response, the BMC is set to appoint a maintenance contractor tasked with managing this issue. The contractor will deploy patrolling and towing vans to monitor speeding two-wheelers and food delivery vehicles, as well as work alongside the traffic police to manage traffic flow. The maintenance contract will also include the installation of signage, the construction of dividers, and road marking along the Coastal Road to ensure better traffic management.
As part of further safety measures, the BMC is preparing to install 70 speed detection cameras along the route to curb over-speeding and traffic violations. Although the proposal for the cameras is still under review, the installation is expected to be completed by May 2025. While the Coastal Road is set to be open for traffic by January 26, 2025, these additional safety measures demonstrate the BMC’s commitment to ensuring that both residents and motorists can enjoy the benefits of this critical infrastructure while minimizing risks.
