The 22km Atal Setu inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi promises to save time and fuel for motorists as well as reduce congestion and pollution, cutting the distance between Mumbai and the satellite city of Navi Mumbai from some hours to 25-30 minutes. The sea bridge was thrown open for motorists from Saturday morning.
The PM had inaugurated the Rs 17,840 crore Atal Bihari Vajpayee Sewri-Nhava Sheva Atal Setu, also called the Mumbai Trans Harbour Link, on Friday.
The Atal Setu, which is the longest bridge and sea bridge in the country, is 21.8km long, including a 16.5 portion over sea, and will reduce the distance from the metropolis to the Navi Mumbai International Airport and also cut travel time to major areas like Pune, the state’s second largest city, and further to Goa and the rest of south India.
As per some motorists, the Atal Setu will also reduce the distance between Palasphe Phata in Panvel in neighbouring Raigad district and Mantralaya, the state secretariat in south Mumbai, by at least 5-6km as compared to the current route via Vashi Creek Bridge, which is around 53km.
The Mumbai traffic police has laid down a maximum speed of 100 kilometre per hour on the bridge, and have barred access to two-wheelers and tractors. The state government is planning to connect the sea bridge with the Mumbai Pune Expressway through the construction of new roads and flyovers in Navi Mumbai.
A number of other projects are lined-up to improve mobility in India’s financial capital.
Eastern Freeway and Marine Drive Tunnel
After inaugurating the Atal Setu, PM Modi had also laid the foundation stone of the underground tunnel project between Orange Gate and Marine Drive. This will be a 9.2km-long tunnel connecting the Eastern Freeway and Marine Drive. The cost of the project is estimated to be around Rs 8,700 crore. This will also help decongest traffic near the Eastern Freeway, helping motorists reach Marine Drive from Orange Gate (near Eastern Freeway) faster. In peak hours, it currently takes 30-35 minutes for the same journey.
Twin Tunnel Roads Connecting Thane and Borivali
Civic authorities are also planning another tunnel road project to ease connectivity towards adjacent Thane City from the western suburbs of Mumbai. It will be a twin tunnel road project connecting Thane and Borivali. According to sources, the government is planning to launch this project before the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.
Mumbai Coastal Road
Another key project that will likely be a game-changer for the maximum city is the Mumbai Coastal Road. Last week, Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde had announced that the first phase of the costal road between Nariman Point and Worli will be thrown open for the public from January 31. The first phase will be 11km-long and will help traffic conditions in South Mumbai. The tunnel road will further connect to the Bandra-Worli sea link. The work on the second phase, which will connect the western suburbs with Mumbai City, is underway.
Metro Lines Planned
The Mumbai Metropolitan Regional Development Authority (MMRDA) is also laying Metro rails throughout Mumbai City. Along with the Versova-Ghatkopar Metro line two years ago, the Dahisar (E) to DN Nagar and Dahisar (E) to Andheri (E) lines were made operational, helping reduce the number of vehicles on the Western Express Highway.
Works on Mumbai Metro Line 3, which will connect South Mumbai’s Cuffe Parade to Aaray Colony in western suburbs, is also underway. From South Mumbai’s Cuffe Parde to Bandra, this line will run underground.
Line 4, which will connect Wadala in South Mumbai to Thane’s Kasarwadvali and further to Gaimukh, is under construction. Metro Line 2A will connect Dahisar (E) to DN Nagar and Line 2B, which is an extension of Line 2A will connect DN Nagar in the western suburbs to Mandale in the eastern suburbs of Mumbai.
After the Navi Mumbai International Airport is fully operational, the state government will connect the airport with the Mumbai International Airport via Metro Line 8. This shall be known as the ‘Airport Connector’.
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