BMC issues safety guidelines for motorists after Mumbai Coastal Road tunnel fire
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has reiterated emergency safety protocols for motorists following a car fire that occurred inside the northbound tunnel of the Mumbai Coastal Road on Wednesday. The civic body issued the advisory to establish clear emergency procedures for commuters using the tunnel, ensuring safe evacuation and preventing the obstruction of emergency response operations.
According to the civic body, the Mumbai Coastal Road tunnel is equipped with multiple built-in safety systems to manage incidents. These installations include emergency telephones, a public address system, fire extinguishers, and emergency cross passages designed to facilitate safe evacuation during emergencies.
Under the safety protocol, motorists who find themselves in an emergency inside the tunnel are advised to stop their vehicles safely, switch off the engine, and leave the keys inside the vehicle before evacuating. Authorities emphasized that leaving keys inside the vehicle is a necessary step for the evacuation process.
Drivers have been specifically instructed not to attempt a U-turn or reverse their vehicles inside the tunnel. The BMC warned that attempting such maneuvers could obstruct incoming emergency response operations and further endanger other commuters who are also inside the tunnel.
In the event of an emergency, motorists can use the Emergency Telephone System (ETS) to contact the tunnel control room. These emergency telephones are installed at regular intervals of 100 metres along the length of the tunnel.
Authorities have also urged commuters to remain calm and listen carefully to announcements made through the tunnel's Public Address System (PAS). This system is designed to provide real-time instructions to motorists during an ongoing crisis.
Additionally, fire extinguishers have been installed at various points throughout the tunnel. The BMC noted that these extinguishers may be used by commuters to control a fire, but only if it is entirely safe to do so.
