Prime Minister Narendra Modi today inaugurated the Mumbai Trans Harbour Link (MTHL), also known as the Atal Setu, connecting Mumbai with Navi Mumbai across the Mumbai harbour. This $2.3 billion project has been in the making for over 3 decades and is a major infrastructure boost for India’s financial capital.
Key Highlights
- The MTHL is India’s longest sea bridge at 22 km, built across the Mumbai harbour connecting Sewri in Mumbai with Chirle in Navi Mumbai
- It will cut travel time between the two cities from 90-120 minutes to just 20-30 minutes
- The bridge has capacity to handle over 25,000 vehicles per day and is expected to significantly reduce pressure on existing routes
- It utilizes advanced technologies like corrosion resistant steel, wind resistant design, and earthquake resistant construction
- Part of Mumbai’s $30 billion infrastructure upgrade including coastal roads, metro lines, airport modernization
Decades in the Making
First proposed in 1963, the MTHL has seen multiple hurdles over funding, clearances, litigation before finally coming to fruition six months ahead of its deadline in 2024.
The project was given cabinet approval in 2016 under a public-private partnership model with concessionaire MMRDA (Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority). Japanese funding agency JICA is the lead financial institution funding over 60% of the project cost.
| Year | Key Developments |
|---|---|
| 1963 | Harbor link first proposed |
| 1997 | Cabinet approval granted but later shelved |
| 2016 | Revival and cabinet approval under PPP model |
| 2018 | Construction begins |
| 2023 | 75% project completion achieved |
| 2024 | Inaugurated by PM Modi 6 months ahead of schedule |
Impact and Significance
The MTHL is a landmark project that will have wide ranging impact on connectivity, real estate, jobs, tourism and more in the Mumbai metropolitan region.
Connectivity Boost
The bridge cuts travel time from Sewri to Chirle from 90-120 minutes to just 20-30 minutes. This connects Mumbai city directly with upcoming Navi Mumbai airport, JNPT port, proposed SEZs and industrial MIDC belt. Congestion on existing routes like Sion Panvel Highway and Mumbai Pune Expressway will reduce.
It opens new arteries for traffic flow, significantly enhancing intra-city connectivity.
Real Estate Growth
Areas like Sewri, Wadala and large parts of Navi Mumbai now come within 20-30 minutes of South Mumbai business districts. This will spur residential and commercial real estate growth in these regions. Property analysts estimate 20-30% price appreciation over 2-3 years.
Tourism and Jobs
Better connectivity to proposed theme parks, luxury hotels, convention centers in Raigad district will boost tourism. Improved access for small enterprises to Mumbai markets will create new jobs on both sides of the link.
The Engineering Marvel
Built to withstand wind speeds of over 300 kmph and earthquakes measuring up to 7 magnitude on the Richter scale, the MTHL utilizes cutting edge civil engineering.
It has 6 lanes allowing over 25,000 vehicles per day with capacity expansion provision available. The bridge deck is made of steel instead of concrete to withstand harsh marine weather. The foundations are designed to prevent corrosion from sea water.
State of the art monitoring systems will provide real time information on wind, waves, vibrations, deformations etc. to take prompt actions if required.
What Next?
The inauguration of the MTHL sets the stage for Navi Mumbai airport opening later this year. PM Modi will also inaugurate several other infrastructure projects worth over $1.7 billion in Navi Mumbai during this visit.
With the upcoming Mumbai Coastal Road, metro line extensions and modernization of railways, this heralds a new era of infrastructure growth for the city. Coupled with the recently inaugurated Navi Mumbai International Airport and several planned SEZs, Navi Mumbai is poised to develop into a satellite smart city over the next decade.
The connectivity, real estate impact and economic growth coming from this project will be immense. As PM Modi hailed it as “a glimpse of a developed India”, the Mumbai Trans Harbour Link will stand tall as an engineering marvel built to power India’s rise.
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