Daijiworld Media Network – Mumbai

Mumbai, Sep 30: In just 24 days since the e-challan system went live on the 10.6km, eight-lane Mumbai Coastal Road’s twin tunnels, city traffic police have issued nearly 16,000 challans for speeding and lane violations.

Data from Sept 4-27 shows 11,173 challans for speeding, accounting for 72% of the total, and 4,423 for using dedicated bus lanes. Violators were caught exceeding speed limits, with the maximum recorded at 132 kmph, via automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) cameras.

The traffic department imposes penalties of Rs 2,000 for speeding, Rs 500 for first-time bus lane violations, and Rs 1,500 for repeat offences. Speed limits are set at 80 kmph on the main road, 40 kmph on interchangers, and 60 kmph inside the tunnels. The coastal road, along with the promenade and underpasses, was opened to round-the-clock traffic on Aug 15.

Anil Kumbhare, joint commissioner of police (traffic), said, “While it is a high-speed corridor, strict compliance with prescribed limits is vital for commuter safety. Action against violators will continue to ensure discipline and prevent accidents.” He added that repeat offenders could face FIRs under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and vehicle confiscation.

The ANPR cameras were activated in late July, with the e-challan system going live on Sept 4 for the tunnels and Sept 27 for Coastal Road Project 1. There are seven cameras—four near Baroda Palace in Worli and three inside the twin tunnels. Most overspeeding cases are reported late at night or early morning when traffic is sparse, officials said.

Residents have welcomed the crackdown. Nandini Chabbaria of Breach Candy Residents’ Forum said, “The nuisance of high-end supercars, like Lamborghinis and Ferraris racing with deafening mufflers, has reduced over the past two weeks thanks to increased patrolling and surveillance.”