India’s longest sea bridge, the Atul Setu, connecting Sewari in south Mumbai to Nhava Sheva in Navi Mumbai, is set to open to the public ahead of schedule on Friday. The Mumbai-Trans Harbor Link (MTHL), spanning 21.8 km, was initially slated for completion by June 2024.
However, Commissioner Sanjay Mukherjee of the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) revealed on Thursday that the bridge was finished on December 25, six months ahead of the original schedule. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to inaugurate the MTHL.
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To expedite the project, Mukherjee disclosed that the workers were initially working in two shifts, but later shifted to three shifts as suggested by the contractors. Despite facing challenges during the extended monsoon, the project was completed without any fatalities, except for the seven reported deaths prior to Mukherjee taking over in July 2023. Traffic clearance and toll gazette approvals delayed the opening for a few days.
The state cabinet decided to reduce the one-way toll from the proposed Rs 500 per car to Rs 250. Mukherjee expressed optimism about cost recovery, stating that the traffic volume, especially for road projects, would play a significant role. The MTHL will introduce open road tolling, a first for India. Instead of traditional boom barriers, the tolling system captures an image of the vehicle and lifts the barrier without physical obstruction after reading the fast tag.
Mukherjee mentioned that a one-month observation period will determine whether open road tolling becomes a permanent feature alongside the conventional method.
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Some planners argue that the MTHL is incomplete without the Sewari-Worli connector, an additional project recently incorporated. The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation is addressing rehabilitation concerns, with the connector expected to be completed by March 2025. Mukherjee highlighted collaborative projects with MTHL, including the coastal highway connecting the new airport to the sea link, extending from Palm Beach Road to Ulwe.