Mumbai Trans Harbour Link, India’s longest sea bridge, inaugurated

Mumbai Trans Harbour Link also known as the Atal Bihari Vajpayee Sewri Nhava Sheva Atal Setu, the six-lane trans-harbour bridge is 21.8 km long with a 16.5 km sea-link

The Mumbai Trans Harbour Link (MTHL), also known as the Atal Bihari Vajpayee Sewri Nhava Sheva Atal Setu, will be open for public commute from Saturday.

MTHL, India’s longest sea bridge covering 21.8 km out of which 16.5 km length is over the sea, is expected to see the movement of more than 70,000 vehicles every day.

Unveiling the Atal Setu on Friday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said: “Atal Setu trans harbour link shows India’s infrastructural prowess marching towards a developed nation. This project employed around 17,000 labourers and 1,500 engineers while also creating employment opportunities in the transport and construction industries.” The PM also laid the foundation stone for multiple development projects worth more than ₹12,700 crore in Navi Mumbai, in sectors including road and rail connectivity, drinking water, gems and jewellery and women empowerment.

Referring to the projects, Mr. Modi took a dig on the Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray and said, “Most of these projects were initiated when there was the double-engine government in the State. People had no hopes from the previous government who had the habit of delaying development projects for years and commissioning them at even higher cost. In 2016, I had guaranteed the people that the country will move towards progress and here I am with the living proof.”

Talking about the 10 years of development works carried under his government, Mr. Modi said, “Earlier, multimillion crore scams were part of discussion, today the discussions revolve around the completion of projects worth thousands of crores. We had Bhupen Hazarika Setu and Bogibeel Bridge in the Northeast, Atal Tunnel and Chenab Bridge, multiple expressways, modern railway stations, Eastern and Western freight corridor, Vande Bharat, Amrit Bharat and Namo Bharat trains, and the inauguration of new airports,” he said.

The Nilwande Dam project, which was started five decades ago, was completed under our government, he said. “Uran-Kharkopar railway line, started three decades ago, was fast-tracked by the double-engine government, and the first phase dedicated to the nation today. Similarly, the first phase of Navi Mumbai Metro Project was completed after a long delay. Atal Setu was in planning for five-six decades. The Bandra-Worli SeaLink, a five-times smaller project took more than 10 years and the budget increased by four-five times under the previous government.”