Inaugurating the Atal Bihari Vajpayee Sewri-Nhava Sheva Atal Setu today, Prime Minister Narendra Modi unveiled the Mumbai Trans Harbour Link, a huge infrastructure undertaking with a price tag of ₹17,840 crore, securing its position as the nation's lengthiest sea bridge.

Back in December 2016, PM Modi laid the foundational cornerstone of this engineering marvel, an important moment in India's infrastructure evolution, naming it the Atal Setu in tribute to the former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. The Atal Setu covers an impressive 21.8 kilometers, forming a crucial link between Sewri in Mumbai and the Nhava Sheva region in the Raigad district.

This bridge not only symbolizes connectivity but also significantly shortens the travel time between the two places, compressing it from a laborious two hours to a mere 15-20 minutes.

Reflecting on this feat of engineering mastery, Dr. Sanjay Mukherjee, the Metropolitan Commissioner of MMRDA, said, "On January 12, PM Modi will inaugurate the Atal Setu - the Mumbai Trans Harbour Link. This is India's longest bridge built on the sea. Several such technologies have been used in the making of this bridge, which are used for the first time in India. The lights used in this bridge do not disturb the aquatic environment."

Here's a rundown of what is permissible and what is prohibited on Atal Setu Bridge.

Permissible:

  • Four-wheelers on the Mumbai Trans Harbour Link (MTHL) can achieve a maximum speed of 100 kmph.
  • Cars, taxis, light motor vehicles, minibuses, and two-axle buses share the 100 kilometers per hour speed limit.
  • Speed is capped at 40 kilometers per hour during ascent and descent.

Prohibited:

  • Motorbikes, auto rickshaws, and tractors are banned on the sea bridge.
  • Motorcycles, mopeds, three-wheelers, animal-drawn vehicles, and slow-moving vehicles are also banned.
  • Multi-axle heavy vehicles, trucks, and buses heading to Mumbai are directed to the Mumbai Port-Sewri Exit (Exit 1C) and the MBPT Road near 'Gadi Adda' for onward movement.
The imposition of speed limits on India's longest sea bridge by the Mumbai police serves the purpose of mitigating "danger, obstructions, and inconvenience to the public."

Meanwhile, the Prime Minister is scheduled to visit Maharashtra, unveiling projects exceeding ₹30,500 crore during his Friday visit. Among the initiatives, PM Modi will lay the foundation stone for an underground road tunnel linking Eastern Freeway's Orange Gate and launch the Namo Mahila Shashaktikaran Abhiyaan in the state.