• By Vivek Raj
  • Fri, 12 Jan 2024 04:01 PM (IST)
  • Source:JND
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday inaugurated India’s longest sea bridge, also known as ‘Atal Bihari Vajpayee Sewri Nhava Sheva Atal Setu’ or Mumbai Trans Harbour Link (MTHL). The bridge is named in honor of former BJP veteran and ex-Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. The bridge promises to cut short the two-hour-long journey from Mumbai to Navi Mumbai to a mere 20-minute ride.

The Atal Setu was in construction for the past six years and built at a staggering cost of nearly Rs 20,000 crore is set to revolutionise travel for Mumbaikars. Branded as a boon for commuters, the project reduces the travel distance between Sewri in south Mumbai and Chirle near Nhava Sheva in Navi Mumbai from 42 km to 22 km.

By spanning 22 km, the project not only saves valuable hours of travel time but also contributes to fuel conservation, addressing a persistent concern in the bustling city.

Boasting the title of India's longest sea bridge, the Atal Setu comprises a six-lane project featuring a remarkable 16.5 km-long sea bridge and a 5.5 km-long elevated road on land. According to officials, the design caters to a daily capacity of 70,000 vehicles, ensuring efficient travel at an average speed of 100 km per hour.

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Originating at Sewri and culminating at Chirle near Nhava Sheva, the Atal Setu provides crucial interchanges at Sewri, Shivajinagar, State Highway 54, and NH-348. This strategic network not only enhances local connectivity but also establishes vital links to Pune, Goa, and various parts of southern India, fostering regional integration.