In a bold announcement that could transform Mumbai's notorious traffic landscape, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has revealed plans for an extensive underground road network dubbed 'Mumbai's own paatal lok'. The ambitious project aims to provide permanent relief from the city's chronic congestion problems that have plagued commuters for decades.
The Underground Solution to Surface Problems
Speaking at the BJP's Youth Connect event held at NSCI Dome in Worli on Sunday, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis outlined the government's comprehensive strategy to tackle Mumbai's traffic nightmare. The subterranean network forms part of a multi-pronged approach that includes new parallel roads, bridges, and Metro expansion designed to fundamentally change how India's financial capital moves.
"Traffic jams are one of Mumbai's biggest problems. To free Mumbaikars from this, we are building multiple roads, underground tunnels, and a widespread Metro network. Once this 'paatal lok' is ready, Mumbai will get permanent relief from congestion," the chief minister assured citizens.
Addressing Mumbai's Traffic Bottlenecks
Fadnavis highlighted a critical statistic that underscores the urgency of these infrastructure projects: 60 per cent of Mumbai's traffic load depends on the Western Express Highway. Reducing pressure on this crucial corridor is central to the government's strategy, with parallel routes being developed to distribute the vehicular load more evenly across the city.
The current traffic situation presents a grim picture, with average speeds of just 20 kmph across the city, dropping to a frustrating 15 kmph during peak hours. The new underground road systems promise to dramatically improve this scenario, enabling commuters to travel at speeds up to 80 kmph – a fourfold increase during rush hours.
Major Infrastructure Projects in Pipeline
The government has outlined several key projects that form part of this transformational infrastructure push:
The Eastern Freeway tunnel construction is already underway and expected to be completed within three years, providing crucial connectivity enhancements. Other significant projects include the Thane-Borivali underground tunnel, Mulund-Goregaon underground link, and a parallel road to the Western Express Highway stretching from Borivali to Goregaon.
Connectivity to upcoming facilities also features prominently in the plans. The Worli-Sewri connector bridge linked to the Atal Setu will enable direct access to the Navi Mumbai International Airport. Similarly, the Bandra-Kurla Complex tunnel extending to the airport is projected to reduce travel time from South Mumbai to the airport to approximately 20 minutes.
Additional projects include the Chowpatty-bound tunnel extending from the end of the Eastern Freeway, creating seamless connectivity across different parts of the city.
Long-term Vision for Mumbai's Transport
Looking beyond immediate solutions, Fadnavis announced a sustained infrastructure expansion plan that includes opening 50 km of new Metro lines every year. This continuous development approach ensures that Mumbai's transport network keeps pace with its growing population and economic needs.
The chief minister projected that the city's transformation would become visibly apparent within the next five years, with most major projects targeted for completion by 2032. "Our aim is to make Mumbai completely free of traffic congestion," he stated, emphasizing that a combined network of roads, tunnels, Metro, and rail improvements will collectively reshape the city's transport landscape.
This comprehensive approach marks one of the most ambitious urban infrastructure initiatives in Mumbai's history, potentially setting a new benchmark for metropolitan development across India.
