Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to open the 27th National Youth Festival today, January 12, in Nashik, Maharashtra. Additionally, the Prime Minister will inaugurate India’s longest sea bridge, the Priority Trans-Harbour Link Bridge, aiming to improve people’s access to urban transport infrastructure.
The bridge, named ‘Atal Bihari Vajpayee Sewri – Nhava Sheva Sea Link,’ ‘Atal Setu,’ has been constructed for Rs 17,840 crore. PM Modi laid the foundation stone for this bridge in December 2016. It stands as the longest bridge in India and the longest sea bridge in the country, spanning approximately 21.8 km. This includes a sea stretch of 16.5 km and a land stretch of about 5.5 km.
The newly inaugurated sea bridge by Prime Minister Narendra Modi connects Mumbai International Airport and Navi Mumbai International Airport. This bridge is expected to make travel between Mumbai, Pune, and Goa more convenient, reducing overall travel time. It will also enhance connectivity between Mumbai Port and Jawaharlal Nehru Port, according to an official statement.
In addition, PM Modi will lay the foundation stone for a 9.2 km long road tunnel connecting the ‘Eastern Freeways Orange Gate’ and Marine Drive in Mumbai. The tunnel, costing Rs 8,700 crore, is a significant infrastructure development for the city.
Prime Minister Modi will also dedicate the first phase of the Surya Regional Drinking Water Project to the nation. Developed for Rs 1,975 crore, this project will provide potable water supply to Palghar and Thane districts in Maharashtra, benefiting around 14 lakh people. PM Modi is also scheduled to inaugurate several railway projects.
Following that, the Prime Minister will inaugurate the ‘Bharat Ratnam’ (Mega Common Facilitation Center) for the ‘Santacruz Electronic Export Processing Zone-Special Economic Zone (SEEPZ)’.
Specialty of Mumbai Trans Harbour Link (MTHL)
Vehicles like cars, taxis, light vehicles, mini buses, and double-decker buses on the Mumbai Trans Harbor Link have a speed limit of 100 kmph, while the speed limit for vehicles entering or leaving the bridge is 40 kmph. The link begins at Sewri in Mumbai and concludes at Nhava Sheva in Uran taluka of Raigad district.
Motorcycles, mopeds, autos, tractors, animal-drawn vehicles, and slow-moving vehicles are not permitted on the bridge. Following its inauguration, the travel time between Mumbai and Navi Mumbai has been reduced to just 20 minutes, a significant improvement from the previous 2-hour travel time.
