Atal Setu, India’s longest sea bridge, to be inaugurated by PM Modi in Mumbai today
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the Mumbai Trans Harbour Link (MTHL) today, the country’s longest sea bridge.
The 21.8-kilometre-long sea bridge, named the Atal Bihari Vajpayee Sewri–Nhava Sheva Atal Setu, has been built at a cost of more than Rs 17,840 crore.
The bridge, connecting South Mumbai to Navi Mumbai (between Sewri and Nhava Sheva), will reduce the current two-hour journey to just around 15-20 minutes.
PM Modi will visit Maharashtra today and unveil projects worth over Rs 30,500 crore in the state. During the visit, the Prime Minister will also lay the foundation stone for an underground road tunnel connecting Eastern Freeway’s Orange Gate and launch the Namo Mahila Shashaktikaran Abhiyaan in the state.e state.
“The Prime Minister’s vision is to improve the ‘ease of mobility’ for citizens by strengthening urban transport infrastructure and connectivity. The Mumbai Transharbour link (MTHL), now named ‘Atal Bihari Vajpayee Sewri – Nhava Sheva Atal Setu,’ has been built in line with this vision,” an official release said.
“The Prime Minister will inaugurate, dedicate to the nation, and lay the foundation stone for multiple development projects worth more than Rs 12,700 crore in the public program in Navi Mumbai,” it added.
The foundation stone of the bridge was laid by PM Modi in December 2016.
ALL ABOUT THE MUMBAI TRANS HARBOUR LINK
The Atal Setu has been constructed at a total cost of more than Rs 17,840 crore.
It is approximately 21.8 km long, featuring a six-lane bridge with around 16.5 km over the sea and about 5.5 km on land.
The bridge aims to enhance connectivity to both Mumbai International Airport and Navi Mumbai International Airport, reducing travel time from Mumbai to Pune, Goa, and South India. Additionally, it will improve connectivity between Mumbai Port and Jawaharlal Nehru Port, as stated in the release.
Mumbai Police has announced that the maximum speed limit for four-wheelers on the MTHL will be 100 kilometers per hour. Motorbikes, autorickshaws, and tractors will not be allowed on the sea bridge.
Cars, taxis, light motor vehicles, minibuses, and two-axle buses will have a speed limit of 100 kilometers per hour. However, the speed will be restricted to 40 kilometers per hour on the ascent and descent of the bridge.
A passenger car will be charged Rs 250 as a one-way toll on the MTHL. Charges for return journeys, as well as for daily and frequent travelers, will differ.