Mumbai's Underground Network: Fadnavis Unveils 'Paatal Lok' Plan to Ease City Congestion
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Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has announced a groundbreaking plan to tackle Mumbai's notorious traffic congestion. Dubbed 'Paatal Lok', the ambitious project involves creating a vast network of underground tunnels across the city. The tunnel grid will cover multiple directions, serving as a supplementary network to the existing arterial routes. Fadnavis emphasized that the plan is designed to provide a parallel network to existing roads, complemented by expanding Metro corridors. The chief minister cited the coastal road from south Mumbai to Bhayandar as a key barrier-free parallel route to the Western Express Highway, which currently accounts for 60% of Mumbai's traffic. The proposed network aims to achieve an average speed of 80 kmph, significantly improving connectivity and reducing travel times. The 'Paatal Lok' project will involve several tunnel projects, including the Thane-Borivali and Mulund-Goregaon tunnels, which are expected to improve east-west connectivity. A new parallel road connecting Borivali and Goregaon, along with the Worli-Shivdi connector, is set to be completed next year, enabling smooth travel from the Atal Setu to the Bandra-Worli Sea Link. Another proposed tunnel connecting Atal Setu to Girgaon Chowpatty through the Eastern Express Highway is expected to be completed within three years, providing a solution to current traffic jams. Additionally, a tunnel connecting Bandra to the Bandra Kurla Complex will improve access to the domestic airport, allowing residents to reach the airport in just 20 minutes. The 'Paatal Lok' plan is a significant step towards easing Mumbai's traffic congestion and improving the city's infrastructure.
