An emblematic endeavor of the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority, the Mumbai Trans Harbour Link Project is a project that was proposed four decades ago to build a 22 km bridge between the mainland and the island city. This much anticipated Sewri – Nhava Sheva Sea Link Project is on the cusp of completion and is estimated to be completed by November this year. Solicited as a revolutionary project, MTHL is estimated to facilitate development in the region, directly linking the coastal Road with MTHL and the Mumbai-Pune Expressway from the Chirle-end. With this, the Mumbai Trans Harbour Link Project is to become the longest sea bridge in India and the 12th longest bridge in the globe.
With a total estimated cost of Rs 17,843 crores, this six-lane bridge is the most expensive Project that is to connect the island city of Mumbai to Navi Mumbai. Resting at 16.5 km over water, the Mumbai Trans Harbour Link Project is expected to reduce the traveling time between Pune and Mumbai drastically along with Mumbai and the under-construction Navi Mumbai International Airport. As per SVR Srinivas, the commissioner of the MMRDA, implementing authority, and the bridge’s owner, the bridge has been completed 93% with surface paving on the parts of the deck.
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Srinivas stated that the Project will be a game changer for the overall development of the region as the development will become an option in the Eastward direction with the development of this bridge. The stretch of water that lies between the two sides of the bridge is about 180 m, which can help significantly uplift the connectivity development in the region. As per chief engineer SA Wadhekar, the bridge will have interchanges at Shivaji Nagar, Sewri in Mumbai, and Chirle in Navi Mumbai, with a toll plaza at Gawhan in Navi Mumbai.
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With a handling capacity of about 50,000 to 60,000 vehicles a day, the Project is estimated to improve environmental conditions by saving one crore of fuel annually and reducing 25,680 million tons of CO2 emissions. Several provisions are being made by the department to equip the Project with anti-crash and noise barriers as well as employing a system to monitor the overall traffic.
Deemed to be a significant project that will revolutionize India’s position across the globe and change the face of India’s financial capital, the Mumbai Trans Harbour Link Project is estimated to have a tremendous impact on the social and economic growth of major Metropolitan region of Mumbai. The Project has also become a gateway of opportunities for the people of the country and is expected to promote foreign investment in India. Once regarded as an “unrealistic” endeavor, the Mumbai Trans Harbour Link Project is set to become the 12th longest bridge in the world while boosting the infrastructure and economic growth of India.
