Mumbai: Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to inaugurate the Mumbai Trans Harbour Link (MTHL) on January 12, as announced by Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. The ambitious 22 km long bridge is hailed as India’s longest and the world’s 12th longest sea bridge.
The MTHL project, a marvel in engineering, will commence at Sewri in south Mumbai, traversing Thane Creek, and concluding at Chirle in the outskirts of Navi Mumbai. Originally slated for completion in 4.5 years, the project faced an eight-month delay due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
While toll rates are yet to be finalized by the Maharashtra government, speculations suggest a range of ₹250-₹300 for passenger cars, potentially higher for freight traffic. The bridge, costing ₹17,843 crore, is expected to accommodate 70,000 vehicles daily, enabling motorists to cover a 22 km distance in just 15 minutes, a significant reduction from the current two-hour commute.
Equipped with artificial intelligence cameras for efficient breakdown response, the MTHL is a six-lane project undertaken by the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) and financed by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).
The bridge aims to enhance connectivity with interchanges at Sewri in Mumbai and Shivaji Nagar, Jassi, and Chirle on National Highway 4B in Navi Mumbai. With a speed limit of 100 kmph, it is poised to streamline traffic and contribute to the region’s infrastructural development.
As the countdown to the inauguration begins, the MTHL stands as a testament to India’s commitment to transformative infrastructure.
