Atal Setu Completes a Year: Transforming Connectivity with Over 8 Million Vehicles, But Falling Short of Traffic Expectations
Atal Setu Completes a Year: Transforming Connectivity with Over 8 Million Vehicles, But Falling Short of Traffic Expectations
In its first year, the Atal Setu bridge has become an important part of Maharashtra’s transport system, with an average of 22,689 vehicles crossing it daily. However, this is lower than the initial expectation of over 56,000 vehicles a day.
Atal Setu, India’s longest sea bridge, was previously called the Mumbai Trans Harbour Link (MTHL). It connects Sewri in Mumbai to Chirle in Navi Mumbai and was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on January 12, 2024. The bridge is 22 kilometers long, including 16.5 kilometers over the sea and 5.5 kilometers on land. Built at a cost of ₹17,840 crore, it has six lanes and aims to improve travel between Mumbai and Navi Mumbai, as well as reduce travel time to places like Pune, Goa, and South India.
In the past year, the bridge facilitated the movement of over 8.3 million vehicles. These include 7.7 million cars, 99,660 small buses and light commercial vehicles, 117,604 buses, 199,636 three-axle vehicles, 160,061 four- to six-axle vehicles, and 899 oversized vehicles. On its busiest day, January 14, 2024, it recorded traffic of 61,807 vehicles.
Although the bridge has fallen short of the expected daily traffic of 57,525 vehicles by 2021 and 88,550 vehicles by 2031, it has greatly improved connectivity. It links the Mumbai International Airport with the soon-to-open Navi Mumbai International Airport and enhances the connection between Mumbai Port and Jawaharlal Nehru Port.
The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) has equipped the bridge with advanced traffic and safety systems, including a 24/7 monitoring team, fire-rescue vehicles, and patrolling units. These measures ensure smooth traffic flow, quick response to emergencies, and high safety standards.
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis highlighted the bridge’s impact, stating that it has transformed travel for over eight million vehicles in a year, boosting the region’s economy and connectivity.
अटल सेतू : सलग जोडणी आणि सुरक्षिततेचा यशस्वी प्रवासाची वर्षपूर्ती…
— Eknath Shinde – एकनाथ शिंदे (@mieknathshinde) January 13, 2025
मुंबई आणि नवी मुंबईला जोडणाऱ्या अटल सेतूला एक वर्ष पूर्ण झाले आहे. पंतप्रधान नरेंद्र मोदीजी यांच्या हस्ते १३ जानेवारी २०२४ रोजी अटल सेतूचे उद्घाटन झाले होते. आधुनिक पायाभूत सुविधा, सुरक्षितता आणि कार्यक्षमतेचे… pic.twitter.com/yFzDJuzuJd
