January 12, 2024 | 06:23 PM IST : Prime Minister Narendra Modi marked a historic moment on Friday as he inaugurated the Mumbai Trans Harbour Link (MTHL), the country’s longest sea bridge, in Maharashtra. Named Atal Bihari Vajpayee Sewari-Nhava Sheva Atal Setu in honor of the former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee, the six-lane, 21.8-km-long sea bridge is a significant infrastructure development.
Important Details About Mumbai Trans Harbour Link (MTHL)
Development and Cost: Developed at a cost of ₹18,000 crore, the MTHL begins at Sewri in Mumbai and concludes at Nhava Sheva in Uran taluka in Raigad district. Of the total stretch, 16.5 km extends above the sea, with the remaining 5.5 km on land.
Travel Time Significantly Reduced
The sea bridge has drastically reduced the travel time between Mumbai and Navi Mumbai, cutting it down to just 20 minutes compared to the previous 2 hours. Commuters will be charged ₹250 for a one-way toll, with varying charges for return journeys and frequent commuters.
Speed Limits
Four-wheelers on the MTHL have a maximum speed limit of 100 kmph, while during the ascent and descent, the speed is restricted to 40 kmph.
What’s Allowed and Not Allowed on MTHL
What’s Allowed:
- Four-wheelers with a speed limit of 100 kmph.
- Varying toll charges for different types of commuters.
What’s Not Allowed:
- Motorbikes, auto rickshaws, and tractors.
- Mopeds, three-wheelers, animal-drawn vehicles, and slow-moving vehicles.
Route for Heavy Vehicles
Multi-axle heavy vehicles, trucks, and buses heading towards Mumbai won’t use the Eastern Freeway. Instead, they’ll take the Mumbai Port-Sewri Exit (Exit 1C) and use the MBPT Road near ‘Gadi Adda’ for further movement.
Traffic Projections
An estimated 70,000 vehicles are expected to use the sea bridge initially, with projections suggesting over 1.33 lakh vehicles by 2032.
Project Timeline of MTHL
The construction of the bridge commenced in 2018, with an initial expected opening in 4.5 years. However, the project faced an eight-month delay due to the Covid-19 outbreak.
In December 2016, PM Modi laid the foundation stone for this monumental project. Today, during his visit to Maharashtra, he emphasized the role of India’s youth in the country’s development and inaugurated the 27th National Youth Festival at Tapovan Ground in Nashik.
The Mumbai Trans Harbour Link stands as a testament to India’s commitment to modern infrastructure and connectivity, promising to reshape the travel landscape in the region.
 : Developed at a cost of ₹18,000 crore, the MTHL begins at Sewri in Mumbai and concludes at Nhava Sheva in Uran taluka in Raigad district.){kind=link}