The Mumbai Trans Harbour Link (MTHL), the nation’s longest sea bridge, will be officially opened by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday. The voyage from South to Navi Mumbai (between Sewri and Nhava Sheva) would take just around 15-20 minutes thanks to the 21.8-kilometer sea bridge. Currently, the trip takes two hours.
When he announced the bridge’s opening, Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde said that it would also spur economic expansion and development in the communities surrounding it. Atal Bihari Vajpayee Sewri-Nhava Sheva Atal Setu is the official name of the bridge. It was constructed at a total cost of Rs 21,200 crore, of which Rs 15,000 crore came from loans.
In the January 6th video, Shinde is seen examining the bridge.
ALL ABOUT THE HARBOUR LINK IN MUMBAI
ATAL SETU WILL LINK THE TWO BIGGEST CITIES
The BJP on X described the bridge as a “new marvel of connectivity” after sharing a glimpse of it. The Mumbai-Pune Motorway, which connects the two biggest cities in the state, would be connected to the bridge in addition.
COMMUNICATORS WILL SAVE FUEL AND TIME
The MTHL will be a six-lane maritime connection that is made up of 5.50 kilometers of land and 16.50 kilometers of sea. Commuters who save time would also save money on gasoline, which an official estimates will save them about Rs 500 for each trip.
In accordance with a cabinet resolution, the tariffs will be changed post-review, one year after operations begin.
THE 4-WHEELERS’ LIMITED SPEED
Prior to its opening, the Mumbai Police said that motorbikes, autorickshaws, and tractors will not be permitted on the sea bridge and that the top speed restriction for four-wheelers on the MTHL will be 100 km/h.
The speed restriction for automobiles such as cars, taxis, light motor vehicles, minibuses, and two-axle buses is 100 km/h, and it will be reduced to 40 km/h on the bridge’s ascent and descent. Speed restriction reductions were put in place, according to the Mumbai Police, to prevent “danger, obstructions, and inconvenience to the public.”.
VEHICLE TOLL
A plan to charge automobiles using the MTHL a one-way toll of Rs 250 has been approved by the Maharashtra government. Regarding the judgement, an official informed PTI that the sum charged was just half of what would have been allowed under current toll-collecting regulations. The one-way toll for a passenger car is Rs 250; however, there are additional fees for return trips, daily and regular passengers, and other scenarios.
The CEO of Mahindra Group, Anand Mahindra, posted a video of the bridge on X, expressing his excitement at ‘pulling down this ‘golden ribbon’. Additionally, he stated that “the commitment of hard-working, talented engineers will enhance connectivity and commerce through the MTHL.”
HEAVY VEHICLES: RESTRICTIONS
According to a Mumbai Police officer who spoke to PTI, buses, trucks, and multi-axle heavy vehicles travelling in the direction of Mumbai would not be permitted to enter the Eastern Motorway. These cars will need to use the MBPT Road close to “Gadi Adda” and the Mumbai Port-Sewri Exit (Exit 1C) in order to continue travelling.
