Atal Setu Celebrates One-Month Milestone With Over 8 Lakh Vehicles Crossing MTHL

The Atal Setu, the official name for the Mumbai Trans Harbour Link (MTHL), marked its one-month anniversary on 13 February, welcoming a staggering total of 8.13 lakh vehicles traversing its expanse. 

As per the data released by the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) cars have dominated the traffic flow, accounting for 7.97 lakh of the total vehicle count. The toll revenue amassed during this period amounted to Rs 13.95 crore.

Dr. Sanjay Mukherjee, the Commissioner of MMRDA, acknowledged that the number of commercial vehicles had not reached anticipated levels, attributing the shortfall to a lack of awareness among outside vehicles regarding the new bridge's existence. 

However, he expressed confidence that with time and increased awareness, the influx of commercial vehicles would escalate, bolstering the bridge's utility as a vital transportation artery.

Mukherjee also underscored the imminent impact of the forthcoming Sewri Worli Connector on daily traffic volumes. 

Despite the connector's construction progressing to 65 per cent completion, delays stemming from opposition by project-affected individuals have hampered the pace of work. Once operational, the connector is expected to contribute substantially to the MTHL's ridership, with nearly 15 per cent of traffic projected to originate from this additional link.

The Sewri Worli Connector project necessitates substantial financial outlay for rehabilitation and resettlement, with an estimated expenditure of Rs 3,500 crore. MMRDA and BMC are poised to shoulder this financial burden, given the alignment of the connector passing through approximately 19 buildings in Elphinstone.

In terms of toll charges, vehicles traversing the entire MTHL stretch from Sewri to Chirle, Navi Mumbai, are subject to a toll of Rs 250, while the toll for the Sewri to Shivaji Nagar (Ulwe) section is Rs 200. 

Additional options include a return trip fee of Rs 300 for passenger cars, with daily and monthly passes priced at Rs 500 and Rs 10,000, respectively. Notably, Mumbai Police oversee traffic management on the 10.4-km stretch from Sewri, with the remainder under the jurisdiction of Nhava Sheva police.

Implementing innovative practices, MTHL introduced an open road tolling system, a first in India. This system automatically detects vehicles lacking sufficient balance in their FASTag digital wallets, imposing a penalty of Rs 50, which is later deducted upon wallet recharge. The MMRDA has collected over Rs 13.7 crore in toll revenue thus far, inclusive of fines levied on non-compliant vehicles.

As the MTHL continues to redefine Mumbai's transportation landscape, its inaugural month's performance underscores the bridge's pivotal role in facilitating seamless connectivity and fostering economic development in the region.