Mumbai Trans Harbour Link: Transforming Connectivity in the Financial Capital

Mumbai, the bustling financial capital of India, is home to over 1.24 crore people. The city heavily relies on its public infrastructure and transport systems, including local trains, monorail, Mumbai Metro, and BEST buses, to keep its wheels turning. As the city continues to grow, so does its need for advanced infrastructural development. One of the most significant recent developments is the Mumbai Trans Harbour Link (MTHL), a project that promises to revolutionize connectivity between Mumbai and Navi Mumbai.

What is the Mumbai Trans Harbour Link?

The Mumbai Trans Harbour Link, officially named the Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Trans Harbour Link, is a monumental infrastructure project developed by the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA). Spanning 21.8 km, it is the longest bridge in India, connecting Sewri in Mumbai to Chirle in Navi Mumbai.

Inauguration and Significance

The MTHL was inaugurated on January 12, 2023, by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. This sea link is not just a bridge but a symbol of progress, aiming to reduce travel time and ease congestion in one of the world’s most densely populated cities.

Source: JICA

Key Features of the MTHL

Advanced Tolling System

The MTHL features an Open Road Tolling (ORT) system, which allows for seamless toll collection without the need for vehicles to stop.

Six Lanes of Connectivity

The bridge boasts six lanes and is expected to handle around 70,000 vehicles daily. This significant capacity will drastically reduce travel time from Sewri to Chirle to just 15-20 minutes.

AI-Based Monitoring

Cameras based on artificial intelligence (AI) will monitor the MTHL, ensuring safety and efficiency. In case of breakdowns, authorities can tow vehicles through an emergency lane.

Reduced Travel Time to Pune and Goa

With the MTHL, the travel time to Pune from Mumbai will reduce by 1.3 hours, and the journey to Goa will be cut down from 11 hours to 9 hours.

Toll Charges and Speed Limits

Toll Charges

The Maharashtra government has set the toll tax for one-way travel on the MTHL by car at Rs 200. This toll will be reviewed and may be revised after one year of operations.

Speed Limits

According to a statement issued by the Maharashtra Police, the MTHL will allow a maximum speed of 100 kmph for vehicles. The ascent and descent of vehicles on the MTHL is limited to 40 kmph.

Vehicle Restrictions

Not all vehicles are allowed on the MTHL. Here’s a quick rundown:

Vehicles Allowed:

• Cars
• Taxis
• Light Motor Vehicles
• Mini-buses
• Two-axle buses

Vehicles Not Allowed:

• Motorbikes
• Two-wheelers
• Three-wheelers, Auto rickshaws
• Vehicles drawn by animals
• Tractors
• Slow-moving vehicles

Construction Details

Orthotropic Steel Deck

MMRDA successfully launched the first longest Orthotropic Steel Deck (OSD) of around 22 km in package-2 of MTHL on January 11, 2023. This deck is 180 meters long and weighs 2,300 metric tonnes.

Progress and Completion

By December 2022, 90% of the work on the Mumbai Trans Harbour Link was complete. The project includes connector ramps and interchange loops that connect nearby roads to the main bridge.

Global Comparisons

The Nhava Sheva sea link is the 12th longest bridge in the world. Its design and plan have similarities to the King Fahd Causeway in Saudi Arabia (26 km) and Hangzhou Bay Bridge in China (36 km). Of the 22 km long Mumbai Trans Harbour Link, 16.5 km is above the sea.

Historical Context

While the Mumbai Trans Harbour Link project was planned in the 1990s, it encountered many roadblocks. The project was revived in 2016 with Prime Minister Narendra Modi laying the foundation stone. Construction work started in April 2018, divided into three packages.

Package Details

1. First Package: 10.38 km from Sewri to Thane Creek, developed by L&T and IHI Corporation.
2. Second Package: 7.807 km from Thane Creek to Shivaji Nagar, developed by Tata Projects and Daewoo E&C.
3. Third Package: 3.613 km connecting the MTHL with state highways 52 and 54 and national highway 4B at Chirle, Navi Mumbai, developed by L&T.

Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS)

The fourth package includes the MTHL Toll and Transport Management System and Equipment Installation for the Project.

Quick Facts

• Steel Bars: 1,70,000 metric tonnes used, equivalent to the weight of 17 Eiffel Towers.
• Pile Liners: 35 km used, 35 times taller than Burj Khalifa.
• Concrete: 9,75,000 cubic meters used, six times the concrete used in the Statue of Liberty.

Source: Devendra Fadnavis Twitter

Construction Cost

The construction cost of the Mumbai Trans Harbour Link is estimated to be around Rs 17,843 crore. Initially set to be built under the PPP model, the MMRDA later executed the project on an EPC model – Engineering, Procurement, and Construction basis. Around 85% of the project cost is financed by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).

Design and Amenities

Interchanges

The Mumbai end has a three-level interchange connecting the Eastern Freeway and the Sewri-Worli connector. There will be an interchange at Shivaji Nagar and Chirle on the Navi Mumbai end.

Steel Span

In the middle of the concrete Mumbai Trans Harbour Link, there will be a steel span of four km to allow easy movement of ships to the JNPT below the bridge.

Environmental Considerations

The MTHL will have view barriers at the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) and noise barriers at Sewri mudflat area, a safe haven for migratory birds and flamingos.

Bird Watching Platform

The MMRDA has built a 5.6-km temporary bridge for transporting equipment and people working on the project, which will be converted into a bird-watching platform.

Lighting Poles

A total of 1,212 lighting poles will be installed, equipped with a Central Control & Monitoring System (CCMS) and designed to withstand the challenges of being situated in the deep sea.

Land Acquisition

For the development of the Mumbai Trans Harbour Link, close to 130 hectares of land is required. CIDCO has contributed around 88 hectares, and the MMRDA will compensate owners for the remaining private land. The MMRDA will also receive around 27 hectares of land from Mumbai Port Trust.

Advantages of the MTHL

• Alternate Route: Provides an alternate route between Mumbai and Navi Mumbai, reducing travel time and decongesting the city.
• Real Estate Impact: Positive impact on Navi Mumbai’s real estate market.
• Improved Connectivity: Enhances connectivity between Mumbai Port Trust and JNPT port and to the Mumbai Pune Expressway.

Real Estate Impact

With the inauguration of the MTHL, travel times between Mumbai and Navi Mumbai have reduced to 20 minutes, positively impacting the real estate market. Areas like Ulwe, Kharkhopar, Belapur, and Nerul are seeing a surge in demand, with reputed developers building gated communities.

Conclusion

Mumbai has always been known for its robust infrastructure and public transport. The Mumbai Trans Harbour Link is a testament to the city’s commitment to progress. By effectively utilizing the sea, the MTHL has decongested a crucial route between Mumbai and Navi Mumbai. This development will not only improve travel times but also boost real estate prices in the surrounding areas. If you’re looking for properties in Navi Mumbai, the Ulwe, Kharkhopar, Belapur, and Nerul belt is worth exploring. With the Navi Mumbai International Airport set to be operational by December 2024, the future looks promising for this region.

Latest News

September 16, 2024

A 14-lane bridge near Atal Setu is proposed to decongest traffic on the Mumbai-Pune Expressway. This construction aims to reduce traffic by over 50%, connecting Pune via a ring road and extending to Bengaluru, as mentioned by Nitin Gadkari, Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways.

Source: JICA