In 1st year, Mumbai's Atal Setu records average daily traffic of 22,689 vehicles, lower than initial projections

PM Modi inaugurated Atal Setu on January 12, 2024, in Mumbai.

Lower than the initial projections of handling more than 56,000 vehicles daily, Atal Setu, India's longest sea bridge that was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi a year ago, recorded an average traffic of fewer than 23,000 vehicles per day.

Built at a cost of about Rs 17,840 crore, the Atal Bihari Vajpayee Sewri-Nhava Sheva Atal Setu is the longest sea bridge in the country.

The nearly 22-km-long bridge connects Sewri in Mumbai to Chirle in Navi Mumbai. It was inaugurated on January 12, 2024, marking the completion of a major infrastructure project in Maharashtra.

The bridge has significantly reduced travel time to Pune, Goa, and South India, while enhancing connectivity between Mumbai Port and Jawaharlal Nehru Port.

The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA), in a press release, said that Atal Setu (formerly Mumbai Trans Harbour Link or MTHL) was "emerging as a symbol of modern infrastructure, safety, and efficiency."

Significantly contributing to smoother and faster transit between Mumbai and Navi Mumbai, the bridge that crosses over Thane creek facilitated the movement of 83,06,009 vehicles over the past year, the state-run agency said.

As per an MMRDA report, an average of 57,525 vehicles was projected to use the bridge daily by 2021 (the structure was inaugurated after much delay) and 88,550 by 2031.

Just after it was thrown open for public use, the bridge recorded its highest single-day count of 61,807 on January 14, 2024, the release said.

The bridge has witnessed an average daily traffic of 22,689 vehicles since its inauguration.

As many as 77,28,149 cars, 99,660 mini buses and LCVs, 1,17,604 buses and two-axle trucks, 1,99,636 three-axle vehicles, 1,60,061 four to six-axle vehicles, and 899 over-dimension vehicles used the Atal Setu in the last year, the MMRDA said.

As quoted by the MMRDA, Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis said, "In just one year, it has transformed the commuting experience for over eight million vehicles, contributing significantly to the economic and social development of the region.”

The robust traffic management system of the bridge, along with its emergency response mechanisms—including the Advanced Traffic Management System (ATMS), Fire-Rescue Vehicles (FRVs), maintenance teams, and patrolling units—has ensured smooth operations and quick incident resolution, according to the release.

"Three specialized teams operate around the clock to monitor traffic, provide medical assistance in case of injuries, and clear disruptions, thereby minimizing risks and upholding high safety standards," the statement added.

The six-lane bridge, stretching 16.5 km over the sea and 5.5 km on land, is designed to provide faster connectivity between Mumbai International Airport and the upcoming Navi Mumbai International Airport, which is expected to begin operations later this year.

(With inputs from PTI)