While the Coastal Road tunnel incident on Wednesday sparked panic among motorists and the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation claimed that systems worked as they were supposed to, experts asserted that the authorities should spread awareness among the public at large to ensure that citizens know how to act when hazards arise.

Rohit Shinkre, architect and urbanist

‘Most people aren’t aware of safety protocols and procedures even if there are any in place. The Coastal Road has multiple fire exits that lead crowds to a third tunnel between the two tunnels, which could have been accessed by pedestrians for a safer exit. Authorities should focus on how they can educate the public on vital disaster protocols; this will minimise panic and chaos such incidents lead to’