The 22-km long Atal Setu link, which will connect Mumbai and Navi Mumbai in 20 minutes, is slated to open this week. The bridge, which was under construction since 2018, witnessed the use of new materials and technologies for the first time in India.
The six-lane bridge, which starts at Sewri in South Mumbai, crosses Thane Creek and ends at Chirle in Navi Mumbai, was built at an estimated cost of ₹17,843 crore.
The bridge is designed for a speed of 100 km/h and can handle 70,000 cars a day, including a 16.5 km sea section and a 5.5 km elevated road on land, which was built using advanced Japanese technology. Orthotropic Steel Decks (OSD), which can stand without piers and allow smooth passage of ships, were used for the first time in the country in bridge construction. Nearly 70 OSDs were used, several of which were assembled onshore at the Sewri project site, shipped to the mid-seas and installed on the Mumbai Trans Harbor Link.
Additionally, an 8.5 km long noise wall was installed to protect flamingos from the operation of the Mumbai Trans Harbor Link.
Indian conglomerate Larsen & Toubro (L&T), which was involved in building the bridges to connect the ports, said a 3.5-metre view barrier was installed on the bridge on top of a 1.5-metre guard wall to protect the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre. (BARC) from the public’s point of view. A 2.1 meter high noise barrier was installed on both sides of the bridges at Sewri-end on top of a meter high retaining wall.
Atal Setu resists earthquakes, tides and wind pressure and is made of signature materials including epoxy coated strands used for nuclear reactor construction to provide high corrosion protection, increased durability and high resistance to chloride attack.
Steep toll
The Maharashtra government has announced a toll of ₹250 per journey for motorists using the Mumbai Trans Harbor link. The state government will conduct an annual review of toll charges.
MTHL is expected to boost real estate in Navi Mumbai and will be preferred by companies looking for cost-effective real estate.
