Prime Minister Narendra Modi is all set to inaugurate the Mumbai Trans Harbour Link (MTHL) today, Friday, January 12, 2024. With a staggering cost of INR 21, 200 crores, the infamous ‘Atal Bihari Vajpayee Sewari-Nhava Sheva Atal Setu’ is India’s longest sea bridge. Not only this but the bridge ranks 12th among the longest bridges in the world.
- It has been designed to shorten the distance between Mumbai and Pune Expressway. Additionally, it will connect with areas such as the upcoming Navi Mumbai International Airport.
- The initial point of Atal Bihari Vajpayee Sewari-Nhava Sheva Atal Setu is Sewri in Mumbai while its final point is Nhava Sheva in Uran Taluka in Raigad district. Hence, that will shorten the distance between Mumbai and Navi Mumbai to just 20 Minutes. Nevertheless, initially, it took minutes.
- MTHL is a six-lane sea link and has 16.50 kilometres of stretch on the sea and 5.50 kilometres on land. Along with it, the Maharashtra government has decided to charge INR 250 as a one-way toll for cars on MTHL.
- According to the government proposal, a passenger car will be charged INR 250, with different rates for regular and frequent travelers.
- Additionally, the government-approved tolls are not fixed permanently and will be revised annually after the start of operations.
- During construction, the steel used weighed roughly the same as 500 Boeing planes—17 times the weight of the Eiffel Tower.
- It’s expected that over 70,000 vehicles will cross the bridge daily.
- In addition to the fixed toll, there is also a speed limit. Four-wheel vehicles are restricted to a maximum speed of 100 km/h. Motorbikes, autorickshaws, and tractors are not allowed on the MTHL.
- Vehicles will also be limited to 40 km/h on the bridge’s ascents and descents.
- Furthermore, as per PTI reports, multi-axle vehicles, trucks, and buses heading toward Mumbai will be restricted from using the Eastern Freeway.