Atal Setu completes its maiden year

India’s longest sea bridge, Atal Setu, also referred to as Mumbai Trans Harbour Link (MTHL), completes a year on Tuesday. On an average, 22,689 vehicles have used the 21.8 km-long bridge daily.

Touted as an infrastructure project that will have a multiplier effect in Mumbai Metropolitan Region’s (MMR’s) economy, it was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on January 13 and opened for public the subsequent day. The project has been constructed, operated and maintained by the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA).

Over the past year, the Atal Setu has facilitated the movement of 83,06,009 vehicles reconnecting Mumbai and Navi Mumbai to reduce travel time...Three specialised teams are stationed on the sea link to be available 24x7 to monitor traffic, provide medical aid and clear disruptions, etc.

On the low usage of the bridge, JeetendraGhadge from The Young Whistleblower Foundation, an NGO, said the low vehicular count is because of the steep toll rates as well as improper connectivity to major roads such as the Mumbai-Pune Expressway, apart from the discounted toll that continues to be steep and is affordable only to the affluent.

The MMRDA has rolled out a plan to connect Atal Setu with Mumbai - Pune Expressway. This proposed elevated road is expected to further reduce the travel time between the two cities.

On the other end - the Mumbai side of the bridge - another elevated road (Sewri-Worli) is being built to connect with Bandra-Worli Sea Link. This will provide signal-free drive for people to and from Mumbai’s western suburbs.

After the bridge’s opening, Navi Mumbai based developer, Prajapati Group, shifted its office from Vashi to Panvel. “From South Mumbai, it takes me lesser time to reach Panvel via the sea link as compared to Vashi,” said RaajeshPrajapati, co-founder and director, Prajapati Group.