Picture Credit – Ujwal Puri
The six-lane bridge – Atal Setu – comprises a 16.5 km stretch over the sea and an additional 5.5 km on land.
The Atal Bihari Vajpayee Sewri-Nhava Sheva Atal Setu, popularly known as the Mumbai Trans Harbour Link (MTHL), was officially inaugurated today, marking its status as India’s longest sea bridge. This impressive structure, spanning 21.8 km, serves as a vital connection between Mumbai and Navi Mumbai, significantly reducing travel time between these two cities.
A captivating video shared by the news agency ANI showcased drone footage of the bridge, illuminated with stunning lighting, stretching across the Thane Creek in the Arabian Sea. Developed by the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA), the six-lane bridge consists of a 16.5 km stretch over the sea and an additional 5.5 km on land.
#WATCH | Drone visuals of #MumbaiTransHarbourLink (MTHL) from last night. The MTHL, also known as Atal Setu named after former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee
— Hindustan Times (@htTweets) January 12, 2024
📹 ANI pic.twitter.com/JfMjbv5D10
Named in honor of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, the Atal Setu aligns with the government’s commitment to enhancing “ease of mobility” for citizens by reinforcing urban transport infrastructure and connectivity. The project’s foundation stone was laid in December 2016, and it symbolizes a significant step toward achieving the prime minister’s vision.
Apart from providing swift connectivity between Mumbai and Navi Mumbai, the bridge’s objectives include facilitating easy access to Mumbai International Airport, Navi Mumbai International Airport, and reducing travel times to Pune, Goa, and South India. It also aims to improve connectivity between Mumbai Port and Jawaharlal Nehru Port.
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In terms of security measures, the bridge is equipped with nearly 400 cameras, including thermal cameras for fog detection. The home department will designate jurisdiction for two police stations, with Sewri in Mumbai overseeing the initial 10.8 km and Uran in Navi Mumbai handling the remaining stretch.
Mumbai Trans Harbour Link
— Ujwal Puri // ompsyram.eth 🦉 (@ompsyram) January 10, 2024
Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Link
Bharat is Great India's Longest Sea Bridge Lit up before Inauguration pic.twitter.com/3OlDbbxInQ
To cover maintenance costs and ensure sustainability, travelers using the bridge will be subject to a one-way toll of ₹250, with different charges for return journeys and frequent commuters. Anticipating substantial traffic, the MMRDA estimates an average of 70,000 vehicles daily on the MTHL, with projections exceeding 1.33 lakh vehicles at the Sewri-Shivaji Nagar/Chirle interchanges by 2032 and surpassing 2 lakh vehicles by 2042.
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