Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis announced a bold infrastructure plan to ease Mumbai's chronic traffic congestion by building a vast underground tunnel network, which he called "Paatal Lok," inspired by the popular Netflix thriller's name. This extensive subterranean system will mirror the city's surface road network and work alongside expanding metro corridors to create a parallel transport web, significantly reducing road congestion.

The ambitious "Paatal Lok" project includes multiple tunnels and parallel roads across Mumbai, such as an underground stretch between Thane and Borivali, an east-west link between Mulund and Goregaon, and new roads connecting key areas like Borivali to Goregaon and Worli to Sewri. Fadnavis highlighted that the existing Western Express Highway carries about 60% of Mumbai's traffic, and easing this corridor's load is crucial. The new tunnels and roads aim to increase average vehicle speeds from 20 km/h to up to 80 km/h, promising substantial relief to commuters.

Among other notable initiatives, the tunnel from Bandra to the Bandra Kurla Complex will be extended to better connect the airport, trimming travel time to around 20 minutes from South Mumbai. The parallel road infrastructure will provide seamless movement between Borivali, Goregaon, and crucial connectors to major highways and sea links, facilitating faster transit across Mumbai’s busy corridors. The Eastern Freeway tunnel project, already underway, is expected to be completed within three years, extending underground up to Girgaum Chowpatty, further unclogging south Mumbai's arteries.

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Fadnavis also used the occasion to discuss the political climate ahead of upcoming elections, emphasizing the importance of practical politics grounded in numbers and relevance over pure ideology. While infrastructure and development remain priorities, he addressed wider governance issues, reaffirming a commitment to combating corruption and promoting effective administration both at the state and national levels.

This comprehensive "Paatal Lok" plan represents a transformative vision for Mumbai's transportation landscape. Once completed, it promises to alleviate the city’s notorious traffic jams permanently, reshaping how millions of Mumbaikars commute daily and boosting the city's economic and social vibrancy over the next decade.

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