Mumbai tunnel safety explained: What happens during emergencies on Metro, Coastal Road and expressways

The Coastal Road tunnel, where a fire on Wednesday triggered panic among commuters and renewed focus on tunnel safety systems. File pic/Ashish Raje

The recent fire inside the Coastal Road tunnel raised questions about how safe Mumbai's growing network of tunnels really is. With several major underground transport projects now operational or nearing completion, mid-day looked at the emergency systems in place inside Metro Line 3 (Aqua Line), the Samruddhi Mahamarg's Igatpuri tunnel and the Mumbai-Pune Expressway Missing Link tunnels to understand what commuters should do during an emergency and how authorities are equipped to respond.

Mumbai-Pune Expressway: Missing Link tunnels

The under-construction Missing Link corridor includes several layers of monitoring, firefighting and emergency response infrastructure.

Safety features
>> Continuous CCTV surveillance
>> Intelligent Traffic Management System (ITMS) for real-time monitoring
>> Emergency call boxes at regular intervals
>> Automatic fire detection systems
>> Automatic fire suppression systems
>> Dedicated evacuation passages
>> Ambulances stationed for emergencies
>> Fire engines
>> Highway patrol vehicles
>> Recovery cranes

Helpline
9822498224

Metro Line 3 (Aqua Line)

What happens during an emergency?

If a train stops inside a tunnel

1 The train operator guides passengers through the public announcement system.
2 Emergency doors at the front or rear of the train are opened.
3 A ramp is deployed.
4 Passengers disembark safely.
5 Metro staff escort them along the track to the nearest station.

Metro Line 3 safety features

>> Platform screen doors to prevent track access
>> Automatic fire detection and alarm systems
>> Sprinklers and automatic fire suppression
>> Smoke extraction and tunnel ventilation
>> Fire-rated cables
>> Dedicated fire lifts
>> CCTV surveillance with 24x7 monitoring
>> First-aid facilities
>> Direct hotlines to hospitals
>> Trained disaster response personnel
>> Dual power backup supported by three independent power sources for lighting, lifts, escalators and fire safety systems

Emergency numbers

Metro Line 3 (MMRCL)
1800-220-220
1800-220-221

Fire Brigade 101

BMC Disaster Management 1916

Samruddhi Mahamarg: Igatpuri tunnel

The twin Igatpuri tunnels are equipped with multiple evacuation and firefighting systems designed to minimise risks during accidents or fires.

Safety features
>> Cross passages every 300 metres for evacuation
>> 26 cross passages between the twin tunnels
>> Lay-bys every 750 metres for breakdown vehicles
>> High-pressure water mist firefighting system - claimed to be the first of its kind in an Indian tunnel

Helpline Toll-free:
1800 233 2233

Alternate:
8181818155

Know before you enter

If you're inside a tunnel during an emergency
>> Stay calm and wait for official instructions.
>> Do not attempt to open train or vehicle doors unless instructed.
>> Follow evacuation routes marked by authorities.
>> Leave belongings behind if evacuation is ordered.
>> Never walk into another tunnel or lane without guidance.
>> Call emergency services only if safe to do so.