Mumbai is known for its traffic, its speed and its endless energy. But now, one stretch of the city offers something unexpected. As vehicles move at a steady speed on a section of the Mumbai Coastal Road, a familiar tune begins to play beneath the tyres. The melody is “Jai Ho”. And the choice of this song says a lot about the city itself.
India’s first musical road has been introduced on the Mumbai Coastal Road project. The music is not played through speakers. Instead, engineers have created carefully measured grooves on the road surface. When cars drive over these grooves at around 70 to 80 kilometres per hour, vibrations from the tyres produce musical notes. If drivers go too fast or too slow, the tune does not sound correct. In this way, the design also encourages people to maintain a steady and safe speed.
But why was “Jai Ho” selected?
The song was composed by A R Rahman for the 2008 film Slumdog Millionaire. It went on to win the Academy Award for Best Original Song in 2009. The film was set largely in Mumbai and showed the city’s struggles, dreams and determination. At the end of the story, “Jai Ho” plays as a symbol of victory and hope. Over time, the song became a global hit and a source of national pride for India.
For many Mumbaikars, “Jai Ho” carries an emotional meaning. The words celebrate triumph. The rhythm is energetic. The music feels uplifting. Choosing this song for Mumbai’s first musical road connects infrastructure with emotion. It turns a simple drive into a moment that feels special.
The Mumbai Coastal Road itself is one of the city’s most important new infrastructure projects. Built along the Arabian Sea, it aims to reduce travel time and ease congestion. By adding a musical stretch, authorities have introduced an element of creativity into a practical project. The road is not only functional but also memorable.
Imagine driving along the sea-facing road, with the skyline on one side and the water on the other. As your vehicle moves smoothly at the right speed, the melody of “Jai Ho” begins to play. For a few seconds, the daily commute feels different. It feels lighter. Almost cinematic.
More than anything, the choice of “Jai Ho” reflects Mumbai’s spirit. This is a city that works hard, faces challenges and keeps moving forward. The song speaks of victory after struggle. In that sense, it mirrors the story of Mumbai itself.
With this musical road, the city has found a new way to surprise its residents. It proves that even a highway can carry culture, pride and a touch of celebration.
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