Atal Setu: Over 800,000 Vehicles Cross in Record-Breaking Month

The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority reports that in just one month, the Atal Bihari Vajpayee Mumbai Trans Harbour Link (MTHL) sea bridge has registered traffic of over 8 lakh cars.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the nation’s longest sea link, spanning 21.8 km, on January 12 between Nhava Sheva in Navi Mumbai and Sewri in Mumbai. The public may access the link the following day.

Speaking to ANI, RDAMM Commissioner Sanjay Mukherjee stated that the cars using the bridge without paying a toll had grown to be a major source of concern.

“Nearly 4 percent of vehicles have left without paying the toll since the inauguration of the bridge on January 12, with an average of INR 30,000 per day on Atal Setu Bridge, and 4 percent of the vehicles go without paying the toll naka, which remains a matter of concern for the authorities,” Sanjay Mukherjee said.

He added that it only takes 20 minutes to travel across this bridge from Mumbai to Navi Mumbai.

“More than 8 lakh vehicles have passed on this bridge so far the journey from Mumbai to Navi Mumbai through this bridge has become just 20 minutes,” he stated.

According to Mukherjee, there were up to four accidents on this bridge in a month, resulting in five injuries, one of which was critical.

“We’ve put in place an excellent automated traffic control system. It contains 400 cameras total, 36 of which are positioned beneath the bridge to monitor activity there. There are other high-resolution cameras. They move where there is movement; they are not static. It’s even capable of capturing a moving car’s licence plate,” he continued.

In addition, he mentioned that thermal-sensitive cameras are available to monitor cars in low-light or foggy situations.

He also mentioned that call centres and speed guns have also been set up and the control room operates around the clock.