Atal Setu - India’s longest bridge - opens possibilities

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the longest bridge of the country - Atal Setu - connecting Sewri in South Mumbai with Chirle in Uran over 21.8 kms.

"The inauguration of Atal Setu exemplifies India's infrastructural prowess and underscores the country's trajectory towards a Viksit Bharat (Developed Bharat)," Modi said after the inauguration.

Even though these development projects are taking place in Mumbai, the entire nation’s eyes are glued to it, Modi added. “I dedicate Atal Setu to Mumbaikars and the nation bowing before Chhatrapati Shivaji, Mumba Devi and Siddhivinayak. Every such project contributes to the development of a magnificent India,” the Prime Minister said.

Modi said steel used in the project is sufficient to construct four Hawara Bridges and six Statue of Liberty. The Prime Minister thanked the Government of Japan for their assistance and remembered Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. “We had resolved to complete the construction of this bridge as quickly as possible,” Modi said.

“Atal Setu is the acclamation of the aspirations that the entire nation made in 2014. Viksit Bharat will consist of services and prosperity for all. It will have speed and progress which will bring the world closer. Life and livelihood will continue to flourish. This is the message of Atal Setu,” the Prime Minister said.

Mumbai Trans Harbour Link or Atal Setu, the longest sea bridge, is an infrastructure landmark and underlines the government's steadfast focus on driving economic growth through infrastructure development, says Shashi Kiran Shetty, Founder and Chairman, Allcargo Group.

"MTHL which connects Nhava Sheva to mainland Mumbai will have a multiplying impact on the port-connectivity and logistics transportation value chain in Mumbai in particular as well as across the country in general by cutting down transit time. It acts as a gateway to unprecedented possibilities in logistics by revolutionising the logistics transportation landscape.

"MTHL is a prime example of how synergy among all stakeholders can bring about a transformative impact in building a robust multimodal logistics transport ecosystem in the country. MTHL along with Navi Mumbai International Airport which is nearing its commercial launch will have an enormous impact on the logistics competitiveness of the country. By driving broad-based industrial growth, such infrastructure development will make India a global manufacturing hub. MTHL will boost hinterland connectivity, benefitting a larger population and driving the GDP growth. It will pave the way for Mumbai, the financial capital of India, to realise its potential and be on a par with Hong Kong, Singapore or other key financial centres in Asia.

"In addition to enhancing transit efficiency, MTHL will play a key role in reducing carbon emission in Mumbai city."

Atal Setu story
The Mumbai Trans Harbour Link, which has been built at a cost of over Rs 17,800 crore, is 5.5 kms on land and 16.5 kms over the sea, according to data provided by Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA), the executing authority.

Atal Setu will contain a six-lane highway (3+3 lane) with one emergency lane on both sides.

“There are seven orthotropic steel decks (OSDs) with spans of length 90m to 180m, which are used on bridges for the first time in India. There are interchanges at Sewri in Mumbai, Shivaji-Nagar and SH-54 in Jasai and at Chirle on NH-348.”

Over 70,000 vehicles are expected to use Atal Setu every day, and the travel time is likely to be reduced from 1.5 hours to just 20 minutes.

The Atal Setu will ensure easy connectivity between Mumbai Port, Jawaharlal Nehru Port and Navi Mumbai Airport.

Vehicles on Atal Setu can travel at 100 kms/hour on the 12th longest bridge globally, which has been designed to withstand cyclones and earthquakes.

(Video Courtesy: Nitin Gadkari, Union Minister of Road Transport & Highways/LinkedIn)