The Atal Bihari Vajpayee Sewri-Nhava Sheva Atal Setu and is acclaimed as the longest sea bridge constructed in India.
Stretching from Sewri in Mumbai to Nhava Sheva in Uran taluka in Raigad district, the MTHL has successfully reached completion at a project cost of Rs 17,840 crore, as per government reports. It is about 21.8 km long 6-lane bridge having about 16.5 km length over sea and about 5.5 km on the land.
PM Narendra Modi inaugurated Mumbai Trans Harbour Link
Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Mumbai Trans Harbour Link (MTHL), also known as Atal Setu on Friday.
Ahead of the Atal Setu inauguration, PM Narendra Modi held a roadshow in Maharashtra’s Nashik today, where he offered prayers at Ramkund and performed pooja at Shree Kalaram Mandir. Read more
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Speed limits and vehicle restrictions on Atal Tunnel
The Mumbai police have laid out specific regulations for vehicles traversing the MTHL. Four-wheelers, including cars, taxis, light motor vehicles, minibuses, and two-axle buses, will have a speed limit of 100 kmph. However, this speed restriction will be reduced to 40 kmph during the ascent and descent on the bridge.
The imposed speed limits aim to address concerns related to safety, prevent obstructions, and minimize inconvenience to the public, according to a police official.
Multi-axle heavy vehicles, trucks, and buses heading towards Mumbai will not be allowed entry on the Eastern Freeway. Instead, these vehicles are directed to use the Mumbai Port-Sewri Exit (Exit 1C) and proceed via the MBPT Road near 'Gadi Adda' for further movement.
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Certain vehicle categories, including motorcycles, mopeds, three-wheelers, autos, tractors, animal-drawn vehicles, and slow-moving vehicles, will not be permitted entry on the MTHL, ensuring a streamlined and secure traffic flow.
Toll charges and economic implications
The Maharashtra government has approved a proposal to charge Rs 250 as a one-way toll for cars on the MTHL. This decision, taken by the Eknath Shinde cabinet, marks only half the amount being charged as per existing toll collection rules.
A passenger car will be charged Rs 250 as a one-way toll, with different charges for the return journey, daily commuters, and frequent travellers. The toll rates, which are part of the economic model supporting the MTHL, aim to contribute to the recovery of the project cost.
As per the cabinet decision, toll rates will undergo a review after one year from the commencement of operations. This provision allows for adjustments based on the bridge's usage patterns and economic considerations, ensuring a fair and sustainable tolling system.
Impact on regional connectivity
The MTHL, a 6-lane sea link with 16.50 kilometers over the sea and 5.50 kilometers on land, holds the promise of transforming regional connectivity. As commuters eagerly await the inauguration, the MTHL stands as a testament to India's commitment to advancing infrastructure for enhanced economic growth and connectivity.
The distance between Panvel in Raigad district and Sewri in south-central Mumbai will be reduced by 15 kilometers, while travel time is expected to decrease from around two hours to 15 to 20 minutes.
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This reduction in travel time is not only expected to ease congestion but also result in substantial fuel cost savings, estimated at around Rs 500 per journey.
CM Eknath Shinde lauds the completion of Atal Setu
Shinde on Saturday visited the sea bridge in Navi Mumbai ahead of its inauguration by the prime minister and reportedly said, "This project would help cover the distance between Mumbai and Navi Mumbai in just 20 minutes which otherwise takes 2 hours. This would provide a big relief to residents of Mumbai as they would be free of traffic snarls."
Shinde said the project has been completed without any environmental imbalance and the number of flamingo birds visiting the Sewri coast has risen.
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CM directed MMRDA officials about various aspects of the sea bridge and told them to ensure regular cleanliness, beautification and tree plantation.
CM Shinde said, "Modern technology has been used for the construction of the longest sea bridge in the country. The (quantity of) steel used for this bridge is four times of the Howrah bridge in Kolkata."
