Join the historic moment as Prime Minister Modi inaugurates ‘Atal Setu,’ India’s longest sea bridge. Discover the significance, engineering marvel, and travel guidelines for the Mumbai Trans Harbour Link, promising to revolutionize connectivity between Mumbai and Navi Mumbai.
In a historic moment, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to unveil the Mumbai Trans Harbour Link (MTHL), fondly named the ‘Atal Setu,’ on January 12. This remarkable engineering feat, the longest sea bridge in India, comes with a slew of guidelines from the Mumbai Police for safe and regulated travel.
Inauguration Details and Significance
The Maharashtra Chief Minister’s Office announced that the inauguration ceremony of the Mumbai Trans Harbour Link is scheduled for January 12. The Atal Setu, stretching over an impressive 22 kilometers, connects Sewri in Mumbai to Nhava Sheva in Uran taluka, Raigad district. The entire project, a testament to modern infrastructure, boasts a cost of ₹18,000 crore, as reported by PTI.
Named after the visionary former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, the bridge is expected to significantly reduce travel time between Mumbai and Navi Mumbai, making it a crucial link for commuters and bolstering regional connectivity.
Travel Guidelines Issued by Mumbai Police
However, before commuters embark on this groundbreaking journey, the Mumbai Police has laid down essential rules for navigating the MTHL. Four-wheelers are permitted a maximum speed limit of 100 kmph, with stricter regulations for motorbikes, autorickshaws, and tractors, which are restricted from accessing the sea bridge.
Officials emphasize that vehicles such as cars, taxis, light motor vehicles, minibuses, and two-axle buses adhere to the 100 kmph speed limit. Furthermore, the speed limit during ascents and descents from the bridge is capped at 40 kmph, aimed at ensuring safety and averting potential disruptions.
To enhance public safety and streamline traffic, certain vehicles, including motorcycles, mopeds, auto rickshaws, tractors, and slow-moving vehicles, will not be allowed on the Atal Setu. Multi-axle heavy vehicles, trucks, and buses heading towards Mumbai will have specific entry points via the Mumbai Port-Sewri Exit, ensuring a regulated flow of traffic.
Mumbai Trans Harbour Link – A Marvel of Engineering
The Mumbai Trans Harbour Link, known as the Atal Setu, stands as a testament to India’s engineering prowess. Spanning 22 km with six lanes, the bridge utilized an astounding 177,903 metric tonnes of steel and 504,253 metric tonnes of cement in its construction. Presently, it offers two access points to Navi Mumbai: one from the Airoli-Mulund connector and the other from the Vashi connector.
This engineering marvel is poised to revolutionize travel, with motorists covering the distance between Mumbai and Navi Mumbai in just 20 minutes, a journey that previously consumed a daunting 2 hours.
Conclusion
As Prime Minister Modi prepares to inaugurate the Atal Setu, India’s longest sea bridge, the nation anticipates a transformative impact on regional connectivity and travel efficiency. The Mumbai Trans Harbour Link is not merely a structure of steel and concrete but a symbol of progress and modernization, poised to redefine the dynamics of travel in the bustling city.
In conclusion, the Atal Setu represents a significant stride in India’s infrastructural landscape, embodying the spirit of progress envisioned by its namesake, Atal Bihari Vajpayee.