The city’s telecom department has brought to the attention of the BMC Commissioner that the newly inaugurated Southbound Coastal Road Tunnel in Mumbai is facing mobile connectivity issues. Motorists traveling from Breach Candy to Marine Drive during the 5-10 minute journey are unable to access seamless mobile connectivity and emergency assistance, due to this deficiency in the tunnel’s infrastructure.
Following this, efforts are currently in progress to install antennas and are expected to be completed by May 15. Further, OSR Teleservices Pvt. Ltd. has been assigned the responsibility of installing booster antennas, aiming for completion within 15 days. An official added that the antennas would be installed in the tunnel’s cross-passages, generating a monthly revenue of approximately ₹1.1 lakh for the BMC.
As per reports, on March 15, Department of Telecommunication (DoT), wrote to the BMC, stating, “It has been brought to our attention by the Cellular Operator Association of India that the recently opened Coastal Road Tunnel in South Mumbai lacks seamless mobile connectivity, causing commuters to lose their mobile network connection. Furthermore, emergency services remain inaccessible for 5-10 minutes along the 3.5 kilometre stretch. Even BMC personnel engaged in maintenance activities and responding to emergencies, particularly during disasters, will be unable to access mobile services within the tunnel.”
Additionally, the 2,000-metric-ton arch bridge, a pivotal element of the Mumbai Coastal Road project, embarked from Mazagon Dock’s Nhava unit at 12:30 pm on April 25. The intention is to begin erecting the bridge by the morning of April 26, with April 27 reserved as a contingency in case adverse weather conditions prevent the planned erection on April 26.
The entire Mumbai Coastal Road is slated to open by June, with 87% of the project already completed.
