Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the country’s longest sea bridge Mumbai Trans Harbor Link (MTHL) today. The 21.8 km long sea bridge, named Atal Bihari Vajpayee Sewri-Nhava Sheva Atal Setu, has been built at a cost of over Rs 17,840 crore.
The bridge, connecting South Mumbai to Navi Mumbai (between Sivri and Nhava Sheva), will reduce the current two-hour journey to about 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 of an underground road tunnel connecting the Orange Gate of the Eastern Freeway and launch the NaMo women empowerment campaign in the state.
“The Prime Minister’s vision is to improve the ‘ease of movement’ for citizens by strengthening urban transport infrastructure and connectivity. Mumbai Transharbor Link (MTHL), now named ‘Atal Bihari Vajpayee Sewri – Nhava Sheva Atal Setu’ , has been made in line with this vision,” an official release said.
“The Prime Minister will inaugurate, dedicate to the nation and lay the foundation stone of several development projects worth over Rs 12,700 crore at a public event in Navi Mumbai,” it said.
The foundation stone of the bridge was laid by PM Modi in December 2016.
All about Mumbai Trans Harbor Link
Atal Setu has been constructed at a total cost of more than Rs 17,840 crore.
It is approximately 21.8 km long, with a six-lane bridge, of which approximately 16.5 km is over sea and approximately 5.5 km on land.
The bridge aims to increase connectivity to both Mumbai International Airport and Navi Mumbai International Airport, thereby reducing travel time from Mumbai to Pune, Goa and South India. Additionally, as stated in the release, it will improve connectivity between Mumbai Port and Jawaharlal Nehru Port.
Mumbai Police has announced that the maximum speed limit for four-wheelers on MTHL will be 100 kilometers per hour. Motorcycles, autorickshaws and tractors will not be allowed on the sea bridge.
The speed limit for cars, taxis, light motor vehicles, mini buses and two-axle buses will be 100 kilometers per hour. However, the speed while climbing and descending the bridge will be limited to 40 kilometers per hour.
A one-way toll of Rs 250 will be charged from a passenger car on MTHL. The charges will vary for return journey as well as for daily and frequent passengers.