In keeping with his goal of improving urban transport infrastructure and connectivity to facilitate people’s easy mobility, Modi will officially open the Mumbai Trans-Harbour link (MTHL), also known as “Atal Bihari Vajpayee Sewari-Nhava Sheva Atal Setu,” which was built at a cost exceeding Rs 17,840 crore, according to a statement. The bridge is expected to drastically reduce the travel time between Mumbai and Navi Mumbai. Currently, the journey takes approximately two hours, largely due to heavy traffic.The sea bridge promises a merely 20 minute ride from Sewri to Chirle.
It is the longest land and sea bridge in India
In December 2016, Modi placed the bridge’s foundation stone. In addition to being the longest land bridge in India, it is also the longest sea bridge. The six-lane, 21.8-kilometer bridge spans 16.5 kilometers over the sea and 5.5 kilometers on land. In addition to cutting down on travel time from Mumbai to Pune, Goa, and South India, it will offer quicker access to the Mumbai International Airport and Navi Mumbai International Airport. The maximum speed limit on the MTHL will be 100 mph for four-wheelers, according to a police announcement on Wednesday. “The bridge will provide faster connectivity to Mumbai International Airport and Navi Mumbai International Airport and will also reduce the travel time from Mumbai to Pune, Goa, and South India. It will also improve connectivity between Mumbai Port and Jawaharlal Nehru Port,” the statement said.
The bridge is designed to last a century
The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) built the MTHL, the nation’s longest sea bridge, over the course of seven years. It is intended to endure a century. According to the MMRDA’s quarterly progress report, it has three interchanges that connect different highways and roads. It is expected to see significant traffic growth, with 39,300 passenger cars in its first year of operation expected to reach 1.03 lakh cars by 2032.
PM’s other projects
The prime minister will also lay the cornerstone for the subterranean road tunnel that runs from Marine Drive to the Orange Gate of the Eastern Motorway. According to the statement, the 9.2-kilometer tunnel would be constructed in Mumbai at a cost of more than Rs 8,700 crore and represent a major infrastructural development. He would dedicate the country to the first phase of the Surya regional bulk drinking water project, among other projects. About 14 lakh people will benefit from the more than Rs 1,975 crore project, which was developed to offer drinking water to the Maharashtra districts of Palghar and Thane. PM Modi will also introduce several rail initiatives.
He will inaugurate ’Bharat Ratnam’ (Mega Common Facilitation Centre) for the Gems and Jewellery sector at Santacruz Electronic Export Processing Zone- Special Economic Zone (SEEPZ SEZ), which is the first of its kind in India with the best available machines in the world including 3D metal printing.
This will host a training school that will train workers in this industry, including kids with special needs. The Mega CFC will support domestic manufacturing while also revolutionizing the export market for gems and jewelry. According to the announcement, the National Youth Festival is held annually from January 12 to January 16. The date of Swami Vivekananda’s birth is January 12. The theme of this year’s festival is” Viksit Bharat@ 2047: Yuva ke liye, yuva ke dwara”.
By: Gursharan Kaur