The Atal Bihari Vajpayee Sewri-Nhava Sheva Atal Setu
Navi Mumbai: Prime Minister Narendra Modi today inaugurated the Mumbai Trans Harbour Link (MTHL) ‘Atal Bihari Vajpayee Sewri-Nhava Sheva Atal Setu’ in Navi Mumbai which has been constructed at the cost of more than Rs 17,840 crores. It is the longest bridge in India and also the longest sea bridge in India and is about a 21.8 km long 6-lane bridge having about 16.5 km length over the sea and about 5.5 km on the land.
The distance from Mumbai to Navi Mumbai will be travelled via Atal Setu in only 20 minutes contrary to the 2 hours taken now. This eco-friendly 6-lane link will facilitate the movement of 70 thousand vehicles every day. It 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.
Referring to the inauguration of India’s longest sea bridge, the Prime Minister said that it is proof of the commitment towards India’s growth. Today’s occasion, he said, was also a symbol of accomplishment through resolution as he recalled laying the foundation stone for the bridge on December 24, 2016. He lauded the on-time completion of the bridge despite the disruptions caused by the coronavirus pandemic. He said every such development project contributes to the development of a magnificent India.
He informed that the construction of Atal Setu involved employing around 17,000 labourers and 1500 engineers while also creating employment opportunities in the transport and construction industries. “Atal Setu will strengthen all business activities in the region and also boost Ease of Doing Business and Ease of Life”, he said and pointed out that the steel used in the project was sufficient to construct 4 Howrah Bridges and 6 Statues of Liberty. He thanked the Government of Japan for their assistance and remembered the Japanese Prime Minister late Shinzo Abe. “We had resolved to complete the construction of this bridge as quickly as possible”, he said.
Giving examples of recent mega development projects in Maharashtra, the Prime Minister mentioned the inauguration of Bala Saheb Thackrey Samruddhi Mahamarg and the ongoing work on Navi Mumbai Airport and Coastal Road Project which is bound to change the face of connectivity in Mumbai. He also touched upon the underground road tunnel connecting Eastern Freeway’s Orange Gate to Marine Drive to further increase ease of travel. “Soon, Mumbai will also get its first bullet train. The Delhi-Mumbai Economic Corridor will connect Maharashtra with Central and Northern India. Transmission line networks are also being laid to connect Maharashtra with Telangana, Chhattisgarh and other neighbouring states. Big projects of oil and gas pipeline, Aurangabad Industrial City, Navi Mumbai Airport, and Shendra-Bidkin Industrial Park are going to give a new impetus to the economy of Maharashtra,” he said.
“Earlier, multi-million crore scams were part of the discussion, today the discussions revolve around the completion of projects worth thousands of crores,” Modi said. He gave examples of the completion of Bhupen Hazarika Setu and Bogibeel Bridge in the Northeast, Atal Tunnel and Chenab Bridge, multiple expressways, modern railway stations, Eastern and Western freight corridor, Vande Bharat, Amrit Bharat and Namo Bharat trains, and inauguration of new airports.
The Prime Minister also inaugurated, dedicated to the nation and laid the foundation stone of multiple development projects worth more than Rs 12,700 crore in Navi Mumbai that included sectors of road and rail connectivity, drinking water, gems and jewellery and women empowerment.
– global bihari bureau
