The Science Behind the Sound
The road utilizes specially designed, unevenly spaced rumble strips or grooves cut into the asphalt. When a vehicle travels over these strips at a constant speed—ideally between 60 to 80 km/h—the interaction between the tires and the road surface creates specific vibrations. These vibrations generate sound waves that resonate to the tune of the Oscar-winning song “Jai Ho” from the movie Slumdog Millionaire, composed by A.R. Rahman.
Project Details and Implementation
Developed by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) at a cost of approximately ₹6.21 crore, the project was inaugurated by Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Deputy CM Eknath Shinde. The “musical” stretch is strategically located near the tunnel exit at Nariman Point, specifically between Priyadarshini Park and Amarsons Garden. The technology was implemented with technical assistance from Hungary, ensuring the acoustic strips are precisely calibrated to replicate the melody.
Purpose and Future Expansion
Beyond being a novelty, the primary goal of the Music Road is to promote road safety and curb speeding. Drivers must maintain a steady, moderate speed to hear the song clearly, which discourages erratic driving. Officials stated that the choice of “Jai Ho” was intended to evoke a sense of national pride among citizens. Given the positive response, the BMC plans to explore extending this technology to other stretches of the city’s highway network in the future.
