Atal Setu: Ten things about India's longest sea bridge in Mumbai

Prime Minister Narendra Modi officially inaugurated the Atal Setu or Mumbai Trans Harbour Sealink (MTHL) on January 12 . The 22 km-long six-lane bridge between Sewri in Mumbai and Nhava Sheva area in Raigad district will bring down the journey time to around 15-20 minutes from the current two hours.

The bridge is also called Atal Setu in honour of the late former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee.

Ten things to know about India’s longest sea bridge.

1. The MTHL features a 6-lane sea link, with a 16.5-km long sea link and 5.5-km viaducts on land.
2. According to reports, around 177,903 metric tonnes of steel and 504,253 metric tonnes of cement were used in building the MTHL.
3. The MTHL has been built at a cost of approximately Rs 18,000 crore. It is expected to ferry almost 70,000 vehicles daily on completion and have a life of 100 years.Also read: PM to inaugurate India's longest sea bridge Atal Setu on Jan 12
4. Motorists will be allowed to travel at a maximum speed of 100 kmph on the MTHL. Heavy vehicles, motorcycles, autorickshaws, and tractors will not be permitted on the sea bridge.
5. It has specially-designed lighting poles to withstand high-velocity winds during monsoons and is also equipped with a Lightning Protection System to safeguard against potential damage caused by lightning.
6. From Sewri, an 8.5-km noise barrier has been installed since the portion of the bridge passes through a flamingo protected area and Bhabha Atomic Research Centre.
7. The concept of a connector linking the island city of Mumbai to the mainland was first proposed in 1962 in a study titled “Planning of Road System for Mumbai Metropolitan Region”.  After several roadblocks, the project was revived with the MMRDA signing an agreement with Japan International Cooperation Agency.
8. According to reports, a total of 5,403 workers and engineers worked daily for completion of the project since 2018. Seven labourers lost their lives while working on the project.
9. The MTHL has been designed to connect with the arterial Mumbai Pune Expressway, further enhancing connectivity between the state's two largest cities.
10. Built at a height of 15 metres from sea level, the sea bridge was the most difficult part of the construction. In the marine portion, engineers and workers had to dig around 47 metres in to the sea bed.Sealink Toll

Recently, the Chief Minister of Maharashtra Eknath Shinde said the toll has been fixed at Rs 250 and it will be proportionate to that for other vehicles. “We have to understand clearly that the toll for other sea link is Rs 85-Rs 90. So, by that proportion, it comes to a much bigger amount, which is Rs 500. But the government has decided the toll to be Rs 250. Whenever an economic decision takes place, there will be the concept of alternative cost, which is also known as opportunity cost. If we make this road toll-free, then you have to repay the loan taken to construct this bridge by using some other resources.”