Mumbai Trans Harbour Link: India's Longest Sea Bridge Cuts Travel Time To Just 20 Mins!

Its been every Mumbaikars dream to reach a destination in time considering the growing traffic situation in the city!

Inaugurated by the Prime Minister on January 12, 2024, the 22 km “Atal Bihari Vajpayee Sewri-Nhava Sheva Atal Setu” bridge will cut travel time between Sewri and Chirle near Nhava Sheva in Mumbai, from two-and-a-half hours to just 20 minutes!

It’s not just quick and convenient, but also scenic! There is a stretch on the MTHL where you get to witness the Elephanta Caves from afar! How awesome does that sound? What is more, this road also gives you a brilliant and never-before-seen view of the Mumbai skyline!

Uses 17 Times More Reinforcement Steel Than The Eiffel Tower:

Now for some fun and amazing facts about this latest project. Did you know that it employs state-of-the-art Japanese technology that is being used in India for the first time? And it uses 17 times more reinforcement steel than the Eiffel Tower itself!

What is more, it also uses four times more structural steel than the Howrah Bridge in West Bengal!

All You Need To Know About India's Longest Sea Bridge:

1. The MTHL is India's first sea bridge to incorporate an Open Road Tolling (ORT) system, allowing vehicles to pass through toll booths at speeds of up to 100 kmph without stopping, with cameras every 330 metres, noise barriers in the first 4 km, and view barriers for added security.

2. The MTHL features a 6-lane sea link, with 16.50 kilometres constructed over the sea and 5.50 kilometres on land, making it a remarkable engineering feat.

3. The MTHL has been built at a cost of approximately ₹18,000 crore and is expected to cater to around 70,000 vehicles upon completion, addressing the growing traffic congestion in the region.

4. Motorists will be allowed to travel at a maximum speed of 100 kmph on the MTHL, with specific restrictions for different vehicle types. Heavy vehicles, motorcycles, autorickshaws, and tractors are not permitted on the sea bridge.

5. The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) awarded contracts for the project in November 2017. Construction, originally scheduled to be completed in 4.5 years, faced delays of around eight months due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Impact of the Mumbai Trans Harbour Link

• Travel Time Reduction: The travel time between Sewri and Chirle will be reduced from 61 minutes to less than 16 minutes.

• Economic and Connectivity Benefits: The bridge is expected to integrate Navi Mumbai's economy with Mumbai and improve connectivity to key locations like the Navi Mumbai International Airport, Mumbai Pune Expressway, and the Mumbai-Goa Highway.

Concerns and Challenges

• Accessibility for Commuters: Doubts remain about the bridge's utility for daily commuters between Mumbai and Navi Mumbai, considering the high toll cost and the distance of landing points from main residential areas.

• Additional Commuting Costs: The toll fee of Rs.250 for a one-way crossing and the bridge's landing points being over 10 km from major residential zones like Vashi and Nerul may increase commuting expenses.

• Lack of Public Transport Options: As of now there are no announcements regarding public transport facilities such as dedicated bus lanes on the bridge.

Well, we don’t know about you but we’re certainly loving the direction that Mumbai is heading in with these projects! Are you excited to travel on the newly inaugurated Mumbai Trans Harbour Sea Link? Let us know in the comments section below!

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