The longest bridge in the nation, the Mumbai Trans Harbour Link (MTHL), was officially opened by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday in Maharashtra. The 21.8-kilometer, six-lane sea bridge, which starts in Mumbai's Sewri and ends at Nhava Sheva in the Uran taluka of the Raigad district, was built for ₹18,000 crore. Of the entire distance, 16.5 km are above sea level, and the remaining 5.5 km are on land.
In honor of the late Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, MTHL is now known as Atal Bihari Vajpayee Sewari-Nhava Sheva Atal Setu. The two hours it used to take to go from Mumbai to Navi Mumbai have been reduced to just 20 minutes thanks to the sea bridge. There will be a one-way bridge toll of ₹250 for users. There will be different fees for return trips and regular commuters.
Four-wheelers will only be allowed to travel at a maximum of 100 kmph on the MTHL, and only 40 kmph on the bridge's ascent and descent. Tractors, motorbikes, and auto rickshaws are prohibited from using the sea bridge in the interim. According to the authorities, vehicles such as mopeds, three-wheelers, vehicles pulled by animals, and slow-moving vehicles would not be allowed admission. Heavy vehicles with many axles, trucks, and buses traveling in the direction of Mumbai will not be allowed to enter the Eastern Freeway. Instead, they must take the Mumbai Port-Sewri Exit (Exit 1C) and continue their journey via the MBPT Road close to "Gadi Adda."
The sea bridge is anticipated to be used by 70,000 cars each day on average. Over 1.33 lakh cars are anticipated to use the Sewri-Shivaji by 2032, according to traffic forecasts provided by the MMRDA in their report. The foundation stone of the bridge was laid by PM Modi in December 2016.
2018 saw the start of the bridge's construction. The project was eight months behind schedule because of the Covid-19 pandemic, even though it was supposed to open to the public in 4.5 years. PM Modi emphasized earlier today the importance of India's youth, who are driving the nation's progress in all spheres. PM Modi encouraged the youth of India to use locally produced goods and abstain from drugs during the 27th National Youth Festival's opening ceremony today at Tapovan Ground in Nashik, Maharashtra.
