Introduction
In the bustling metropolis of Mumbai, where every minute counts, the unveiling of the Mumbai Trans Harbour Link (MTHL) stands as a monumental achievement poised to revolutionize the city's transportation landscape. After seven years of meticulous planning and construction, the Atal Setu Nhava Sheva Sea Link, as it is officially named, is ready to open its lanes to traffic, promising swift journeys and enhanced connectivity between Mumbai and Navi Mumbai and is a proud addition to India’s development journey.
A Bridge of Promise
During the 1990s, the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) embarked on a series of studies aimed at addressing the burgeoning issues of traffic congestion and accidents within the Mumbai Metropolitan Region. With six bridges spanning Thane Creek to connect Mumbai and Navi Mumbai, it became evident that these structures, while serving their purpose, were ill-equipped to handle the future surge in traffic demands. Their outdated designs and narrow lanes strained under the weight of increasing commuters, resulting in prolonged travel times between the two cities.
In response to these challenges, the MMRDA proposed a comprehensive solution: the construction of a new link between Mumbai and Navi Mumbai. This ambitious endeavor sought to not only augment the region's traffic handling capacity but also ensure faster, safer, and more convenient travel for its residents. In 2012, the proposal was formally presented to the Government of Maharashtra. Subsequently, in 2015, it garnered approval from the Government of India and the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH).
The symbolic laying of the project's foundation stone took place on December 24, 2016, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi officiating the ceremony. Originally scheduled for completion by 2021, the MMRDA awarded contracts for the project in November 2017. Construction officially commenced in April 2018, with an anticipated completion timeframe of 4.5 years, targeting the year 2022.
However, the unforeseen onset of the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted the project's timeline. The ensuing challenges and restrictions resulted in an approximate 8-month delay, pushing the expected completion date to August 2023, and later, to December 2023. Despite these setbacks, the collective efforts persevered, culminating in the conclusion of construction in December 2023. The grand inauguration of the project by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on January 12, 2024, marked the fruition of years of planning, dedication, and resolve.
Overcoming Obstacles: Land Acquisition and Environmental Concerns
The MTHL project required 130 hectares of land, with the City and Industrial Development Corporation (CIDCO) contributing 88 hectares, while the rest was privately owned. According to MMRDA officials, landowners received a compensation package identical to that provided in the Navi Mumbai International Airport project. Among the 320 structures affected in Sewri, 250 were residential properties.
MMRDA facilitated the relocation of affected individuals to Kanjurmarg or Kurla, with the majority choosing Kanjurmarg. Each affected fisherman received compensation of ₹6 lakh (US$7,500) from MMRDA. In October 2016, MMRDA agreed to pay MbPT ₹1000 crores in installments over 30 years as rent for using MbPT's land for constructing MTHL ramps on the Mumbai side. The MMRDA acquired 27.2 hectares on the Sewri side of MbPT, with 15.17 hectares temporarily utilized for the casting yard.
Trans harbor link animation - Creative Commons Attribution
For the MTHL survey, MMRDA utilized drones equipped with 360-degree cameras offering up to 3 mm accuracy. This aerial survey, quicker and more accurate than traditional methods, helps prevent false compensation claims. Over 1,000 boreholes were drilled to examine the strata, with the geological survey commencing on January 15, 2018. The project impacted 1,635 trees, leading to the cutting of 753, while the remaining 882 were replanted elsewhere, primarily in Sewri and Vakola.
Bridging Communities: The Impact on Residents
As the MTHL took shape, its impact rippled through the communities it touched. For some, it meant relocation and adaptation, while for others, it heralded opportunities for growth and progress. The resilience of Mumbai's residents mirrored the steadfastness of the project itself, embodying the spirit of transformation and renewal of India itself.
Features
Noise and Vision Barriers:
Implemented along a 6 km stretch of the MTHL by the MMRDA to obscure the view of the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) and safeguard the movement of flamingos and migratory birds at the Sewri mudflats.
Intention to designate approximately 2 km of the MTHL on the Sewri side as a "silent zone" and sensitive areas on the Navi Mumbai side.
Construction equipment equipped with silencers to minimize noise impact on migratory birds.
Utilization of reverse circulation drilling methodology to reduce noise levels and expedite construction in marine environments.
Bird Watching Platform:
Temporary access bridge, spanning 5.6 kilometers, was constructed for MTHL construction and later on a decision was made by the MMRDA in November 2021 not to dismantle the bridge but repurpose it into a bird-watching platform.
It offers a vantage point for observing flamingos and other avian species, resulting in cost savings by avoiding demolition and also providing a unique experience to commuters.
Traffic Management Measures:
Access-Controlled Road equipped with the Advanced Traffic Management System (ATMS) on the MTHL.
ATMS serves as a centralized system enabling real-time monitoring and handling of traffic flow, incidents, and emergency responses.
Intelligent Transportation Management System (ITMS) collaborates with ATMS for state-of-the-art traffic management systems.
Environmental Safety and Sustainability Measures:
Stone mastic asphalt (SMA) on both sides and stone matrix asphalt on the bridge itself enhance pavement life by 20–30%.
Benefits include temperature resistance, improved adhesion, reduced noise, high skid resistance, and enhanced road marking visibility.
SMA pavements are 100% recyclable, reducing the carbon footprint.
Installation of 1,212 special poles to illuminate only the carriageways, minimizing impact on marine life and earning a sustainability certificate from the Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS).
Other Features
Incorporates 120,000 tonnes of structural steel, equivalent to supporting four Howrah Bridges.
Over 830,000 cubic meters of concrete, six times more than the Statue of Unity, and 17 times the reinforced steel of the Eiffel Tower.
Built with corrosion-resistant materials to withstand various weather conditions, high winds, tides, and earthquakes up to 6.5 magnitude, ensuring a lifespan of over a century.
Utilizes Japanese technology with 70 spans of Orthotropic Steel Decks erected across Thane Creek, each weighing up to 2,800 metric tons.
Features Comprehensive Surveillance System, Speed Violation Detection, Video Incident Detection, Emergency Calling Boxes, and Variable Message Display systems for enhanced safety and real-time information for commuters.
A Bridge for Tomorrow
The Atal Setu bridge is yet another addition to Mumbai’ rich cultural and architectural history. Since PM Narendra Modi’s inauguration of the bridge, it has been hailed as an engineering marvel by the public. It is not just a bridge but a gateway to a future where barriers yield to bridges, and possibilities stretch as far as the horizon.
In the annals of Mumbai's history, the MTHL stands tall—a beacon of hope, unity, and transformation—a bridge to tomorrow. As commuters traverse its expanse, they embark on more than a journey; they embark on a voyage towards a brighter, more connected future, where the promise of progress knows no bounds.
Comments