Traffic Restored on Mumbai Coastal Road After Car Blaze Disrupts Morning Commute

Mumbai’s Coastal Road witnessed severe traffic disruptions on Thursday morning following a car fire inside the southbound tunnel near Tardeo, leading to a temporary shutdown of one of the city's busiest traffic arteries.

Incident Triggers Massive Traffic Snarls

At approximately 9:15 am during peak office hours, a moving vehicle caught fire roughly 100-150 meters into the southbound tunnel along Coastal Road, partway between Marine Drive and Tardeo. The blaze produced thick black smoke that quickly filled the tunnel, drastically reducing visibility and forcing the immediate suspension of vehicular movement in both the northbound and southbound directions within the tunnel corridor.

The unexpected shutdown caused traffic to back up for several kilometres as motorists were forced to divert onto alternate city routes. Congestion stretched across adjoining arterial roads, especially around Haji Ali, Worli Connector, and Breach Candy. Social media users trapped in the gridlock shared real-time updates, with many describing the scene as chaotic, posting images of vehicles turning back from tunnel entrances and queued up bumper to bumper.

Swift Emergency Response Contained Blaze

Mumbai Fire Brigade dispatched two fire engines promptly upon receiving alerts of the fire. Firefighters entered the tunnel via the Breach Candy exit and acted quickly to suppress the flames. With efforts concentrated on preventing the fire from spreading to adjacent vehicles or damaging tunnel infrastructure, the blaze was successfully doused by around 9:36 am. Thankfully, there were no reports of injuries or casualties related to the incident.

To secure the scene, authorities blocked the Breach Candy tunnel exit, ensuring no additional vehicles attempted entry until smoke cleared and safety was confirmed. The affected vehicle was subsequently removed from the tunnel to allow safe reopening of the road.[5][

Return to Normal Traffic Flow

Traffic police issued timely advisories on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), informing commuters about the Coastal Road shutdown and recommending detours via Haji Ali and other connector roads. Officers positioned at key junctions including Haji Ali, Pedder Road, and Marine Drive managed traffic diversions to alleviate the bottleneck.

By mid-morning, around 10:30 am, authorities gave the all-clear to resume vehicle movement through the tunnel stretch, albeit at a slower pace as the smoke dissipated and vehicles cleared the backlog. Mumbai Traffic Police confirmed that traffic on both sides of the Coastal Road tunnel had normalized and urged commuters to exercise patience due to residual congestion.

Background: Mumbai Coastal Road and Its Strategic Role

The Mumbai Coastal Road, a vital infrastructure project aimed at reducing commute times between South Mumbai and the suburbs, has transformed traffic dynamics since opening to four-wheelers and buses in phases from 2023 onwards. The southbound arm, connecting the Bandra-Worli Sea Link to Marine Drive, was fully operational by January 2025, while the northbound stretch running between Marine Drive and Haji Ali opened mid-2024.

Designed to support heavy daily traffic volumes, the Coastal Road’s tunnels and elevated stretches are critical to Mumbai’s transportation ecosystem. Incidents like this car fire, though rare, underscore the challenges of managing safety and traffic flow on such high-capacity corridors.

Motorists’ Experiences and Calls for Improved Alerts
 

Stranded commuters expressed frustration over the sudden halt and resulting gridlocks. Some criticized the lack of real-time electronic signage at Coastal Road entry points, which could better inform motorists of such incidents in advance, potentially reducing congestion on feeder routes.

Emergency services’ fast response was acknowledged by witnesses, with many praising the firefighting teams for preventing the fire from escalating. However, motorists highlighted the need for enhanced contingency planning for similar emergencies, including smoother diversion protocols and increased communication between traffic authorities and commuters.

Official Statements and Pending Inquiry

Mumbai Traffic Police reiterated that investigations will be conducted to determine the fire’s cause and verify if any passengers were in the vehicle at the time. Safety audits and reviews of tunnel emergency protocols are also expected to follow, aiming to improve preventive measures on the Coastal Road infrastructure.

Authorities confirmed their commitment to ensuring the Coastal Road remains safe and efficient despite occasional disruptions. With Mumbai’s ever-growing traffic demands, such incidents spotlight the continuous challenges and the need for robust preparedness in urban transportation networks.