MTHL – India’s longest Sea Bridge Project ; Read to know more

By: Pune Pulse

November 29, 2023

Pune : The Mumbai Trans Harbour Link (MTHL) is an ambitious project aiming to construct a 21.8 km road bridge, connecting the bustling city of Mumbai with its satellite city, Navi Mumbai. Upon its completion, this remarkable infrastructure will proudly hold the title of being the longest sea bridge in India.

The Mumbai Trans Harbour Link (MTHL) project has a long history, dating back to 1963 when it was initially proposed as the Uran Bridge. However, it faced numerous challenges and obstacles before finally gaining momentum. In 2006, IL&FS made the first concrete effort by proposing a Build Own Operate Transfer (BOOT) model. Unfortunately, this attempt was ultimately abandoned.

It wasn’t until 2017 that the Maharashtra government entrusted the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) with the MTHL project. To support the project, the Engineering – Procurement – Construction (EPC) model was adopted, and an official development loan of approximately Rs 18,000 crore was secured from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).

Starting from Sewri in South Mumbai, the bridge spans across Thane Creek, located to the north of Elephant Island, and ends at Chirle village near Nhava Sheva. The bridge has been strategically placed to connect important regions including the proposed Navi Mumbai International Airport, JNPT Port, Mumbai–Pune Expressway, and the Mumbai–Goa Highway.

Strategic interchanges located at Sewri, Shivaji-Nagar, SH-54 in Jasai, and Chirle on NH-348 play a crucial role in ensuring smooth connectivity and traffic flow optimization. These interchanges are of utmost importance for enhancing accessibility. Additionally, the MTHL will link Mumbai and Navi Mumbai to the Pune and South Indian expressways, while its proximity to the upcoming Navi Mumbai International Airport will provide easy access to the airport from different parts of the city.

The Mumbai Trans Harbour Link (MTHL) consists of a 16.50-km stretch over the sea and a 5.5-km stretch over land. The Sea Link is a six-lane highway with three lanes on each side and an additional emergency lane. Furthermore, the MTHL incorporates seven orthotropic steel deck (OSD) spans, which range from 90m to 180m. This is the first time such a solution has been implemented in India. The OSD is a lighter and more flexible alternative to concrete, offering several advantages. It reduces the time required for assembly, enables quick replacement or rehabilitation of bridges, and allows the deck to directly bear the weight of vehicles.

The MTHL construction, which is expected to cost Rs 17,843 crore, is being overseen by the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA). As per MMRDA’s report in November 2023, 91% of the estimated cost has already been utilized for the project.

The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) oversees the MTHL project, which has been supported by a consortium of general consultants including AECOM Asia Company Ltd., PADECO Co Ltd, Dar Al-Handasah, and TY Lin International. The project was divided into four packages, consisting of three civil works packages and one package for the Intelligent Transport System (ITS), automated toll collection system, and electrical works.

Mumbai, renowned for its high population density, faces challenges with congestion in its local trains and public transportation. The MTHL project is expected to bring about a significant improvement by reducing traffic at the existing entry points to Mumbai, thereby enhancing overall connectivity. With the upcoming Navi Mumbai airport in Panvel, the MTHL bridge will provide seamless connectivity from the mainland. This bridge will be a time-saving blessing for daily commuters between Navi Mumbai and Mumbai, as it can reduce travel time by 30-45 minutes during peak traffic hours. Currently, Mumbai and Navi Mumbai have only two road connectivity options. The MTHL project is also expected to strengthen connectivity between Mumbai Port Trust (MbPT) and Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (JNPT), while also stimulating urban and industrial development.

The MMRDA had initially estimated that the project, which began with packages 1 and 2 in 2018, would be completed by September 2023. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic causing some delays, the bridge is now expected to be finished in January 2024, according to the MMRDA. Despite this, there is a possibility that the bridge may be open to the public in the last week of this year. The BJP Maharashtra unit recently announced the inauguration of the bridge on December 25, 2023, which coincides with the birth anniversary of the late Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, after whom the bridge is named.