'Jai Ho' on the move: India’s first musical road hits Mumbai’s Coastal drive

A stretch of Mumbai’s Coastal Road has been transformed into the country’s first “musical road,” producing tunes as vehicles pass over it. This innovative concept combines engineering and entertainment.

The musical section is on the northbound lane from Nariman Point to Worli, right after exiting the underground tunnel, ensuring vehicles experience the tune while heading towards Worli.

The musical effect has been created over a 500-metre stretch of the first lane adjacent to the divider, allowing vehicles to play the tune as they drive over it.

Vehicles travelling at 70-80 kmph over the grooves will play ‘Jai Ho’ from the film Slumdog Millionaire, creating a unique musical experience for commuters.

The music is generated through rumble strips or grooves cut into the road. The friction between the tyres and grooves produces audible musical notes inside vehicles.

The grooves have been laid at precise intervals and measurements, ensuring the correct pitch and timing to replicate the tune accurately as cars drive over the strip.

Signboards have been installed at 500 metres, 100 metres, and 60 metres before the musical stretch inside the tunnel to alert drivers to the upcoming musical road.

To hear the song clearly, vehicles need to maintain a speed of 70-80 kmph. Going faster or slower may distort the tune due to changes in tyre-groove interaction.

The idea of a musical road was proposed by Maharashtra's former MP, aiming to create a creative and engaging driving experience on Mumbai’s Coastal Road.

This musical road integrates engineering, art, and culture, providing commuters with a novel travel experience while highlighting innovation in urban road design.