Prime Minister Narendra Modi dedicated the much-awaited technical wonder, the Mumbai Trans Harbour Link, India’s longest sea bridge, to the country on Friday. Modi was joined by Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Deputy Chief Ministers Devendra Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar to the inauguration event.
The Atal Setu bridge connects Mumbai’s island and mainland, alleviating land shortage due to topographical limits. The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) oversaw the bridge project.
Other comparable bridges in the globe include China’s Hangzhou Bay Bridge (36 km) and Saudi Arabia’s King Fahd Causeway (26 kilometres).
Features of Atal Setu
India’s longest sea bridge, the Atal Bihari Vajpayee Sewari-Nhava Sheva Atal Setu, that has 16.5 km length over the sea and about 5.5 km on land. Being dubbed India’s longest sea bridge, it was constructed at a cost of ₹17,840 crore, using 1,77,903 metric tonnes of steel along with 5,04,253 metric tonnes of cement. The bridge spans 21.8 kilometres and has six lanes. It begins in Sewri, Mumbai, and ends at Nhava Sheva in Uran taluka, Raigad district.
The bridge is expected to provide speedier access between Mumbai International Airport and Navi Mumbai International Airport, as well as cut travel time from Mumbai to Pune, Goa, and South India. It would also strengthen the connection between Mumbai Port and Jawaharlal Nehru Port.
The bridge gets state-of-the-art technologies in terms Earthquake-Resistant Design, Orthotropic Steel Deck, Reverse Circulation Rigs, Noise Reduction Measures, Eco-Friendly Lighting, No toll queues, Displays. Cars, taxis, light motor vehicles, minibuses and two-axle buses will be allowed to run with the maximum speed of 100 kilometres per hour. Motorbikes, auto rickshaws and tractors won’t be allowed on the sea bridge.
What did PM says about Atal Setu?
Prime Minister Narendra Modi stated on Friday that the Atal Setu, India’s longest sea bridge, is a “glimpse of what a developed India will look like.” The Prime Minister’s words come just after he inaugrated the bridge in Navi Mumbai.
“In a developed India, there will be opportunities for everyone, wealth for all, speed, and advancement. Distances will be shorter in developed India, and every part of the country would be connected. Whether it is life or livelihood, everything will continue uninterrupted. This is the message of Atal Setu,” PM Modi stated while addressing a public function.
PM Modi also thanked Japan for its assistance and cooperation in building the bridge. Notably, the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) has offered an Official Development Assistance (ODA) loan to support the massive infrastructure project.
“On this occasion, I’d want to honour Shinzo Abe (former Japanese prime leader assassinated in 2022), with whom I originally discussed the construction of this bridge. When Maharashtra had its first double-engine government, several development initiatives were launched. The Atal Setu is the outcome of the united efforts of the central and state governments,” Modi stated.
During his speech, PM Modi also took aim at the old UPA administration, stating, “The people who ruled for decades did not care about the country’s time and tax money, so no project either got off the ground or remained pending for decades.”
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