India’s longest sea bridge MTHL- “Atal Setu” inaugurated by PM Modi

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Mumbai Trans Harbour Link (MTHL), India’s longest sea Bridge also known as “Atal Setu” (Atal Bihari Vajpayee Sewari-Nhava Sheva Atal Setu). This was a proposed sea bridge that aims to connect the city of Mumbai with Navi Mumbai, spanning the Mumbai Bay. The MTHL is a crucial transportation link, reducing travel time and congestion in the region. It is the world’s 12th longest bridge, which is constructed by around 70-75 thousand workers.

The total length of the MTHL Bridge is 21.8 km of which the length on the sea is 16.50 km and on land portion is 5.5 km. The sea link contains a 6-lane (3+3 lane) highway+1 emergency lane on both sides. The State Government has taken a loan from the Japanese JICA agency for this project, The Administrative approval estimate value was Rs. 17843 Crore.

Atal Setu
Atal Setu

There are few sea bridges in India, but MTHL is the longest one which covers a distance of 21.8 km, it will cater to 70,000 vehicles daily connecting Sewri at Mumbai to Chirle at Navi Mumbai

PM Modi inaugurated MTHL- “Atal Setu”

Today, on 12th January 2024, PM Modi inaugurated MTHL and from January 31 it will be partly open for people.  PM Modi traveled on this road in a car and covered the whole distance. He traveled on the sea bridge from INS Shikara in Colaba to Navi Mumbai. MTHL features interchanges at Sewri in Mumbai and Shivaji Nagar, Jassi, and Chirle on National Highway 4B in Navi Mumbai. The 21.8 km sea bridge will be open to commuters from January 13.

PM held a mega roadshow ahead of the inauguration. PM Modi along with Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde and Deputy CMs Devendra Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar greeted the crowd gathered at a public event where he will inaugurate and lay the foundation stone of multiple development projects worth more than ₹12,700 crore, in Navi Mumbai.

Futhermore, PM also Inaugurated the Nashik Youth festival and addressed the youth urging them to take India to new heights. PM Modi also offered prayers at the famous Kalaram temple, dedicated to Lord Ram, in Nashik and took part in ‘bhajan’ and ‘kirtan’ and played cymbals at the shrine. He further cleaned the premises of the Kalaram Temple as part of Swachchata Abhiyan campaign.

It is also one of the most expensive roads linked to Mumbai, Motorists will have to pay Rs 250 one way on the Mumbai Trans Harbour Link, and Rs 375 for the return journey.  Reactions to toll varied, some acknowledged this new development, and some citizens find it steep. There is also a facility of monthly pass worth Rs 12500 if you are a frequent traveller to this route.

The maximum speed limit is 100kmph for four wheelers. However, motor-ycles, auto-rickshaws and tractors are restricted from using the “Atal Setu”. Vehicles such as Cars, Taxis, light motor vehicles, minibuses and two axle buses will have a maximum speed of 100kmph with the speed restricted to 40 kmph on ascent and descent of the bridge.

Benefits of MTHL – “Atal Setu”

In a nutshell, it can be concluded that the MTHL Bridge gives a faster connectivity with proposed Navi Mumbai International Airport, JNPT Port, Mumbai – Pune Expressway and Mumbai – Goa Highway. On Mumbai side, Connectivity with Coastal Road is planned through Sewri Worli Elevated Connector project.

MTHL will lower the commute time from the Island City to Navi Mumbai from 41 minutes to 26 minutes. It will reduce the distance by about 15 km. Besides, it will make the commute direct, something which has lacked in Mumbai for long. Also, the commute is likely to become faster, efficient and cheaper. This, in turn, will allow more people to live in Navi Mumbai and work elsewhere, and vice versa.

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