The Mumbai Trans Harbour Link, officially known as the Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Trans Harbour Link and also referred to as the Sewri–Nhava Sheva Trans Harbour Link, stands as a remarkable 21.8 km (13.5 mi) elevated road bridge featuring six lanes. This access-controlled infrastructure plays a crucial role in connecting Mumbai to its satellite city, Navi Mumbai. As the longest sea bridge in India and the 12th longest globally, this engineering marvel originates in Sewri, South Mumbai, traverses Thane Creek north of Elephanta Island, and concludes its journey at Chirle near Nhava Sheva in Uran taluka.
The road seamlessly integrates with the Mumbai–Pune Expressway to the east and the ongoing Coastal Road project to the west. The 6-lane highway, boasting a width of 27 meters, incorporates two emergency exit lanes, two edge strips, parallel crash barriers, and noise barriers on both sides. The comprehensive project incurred a total cost of ₹17,843 crore (US$2.2 billion) and is equipped to accommodate up to 70,000 vehicles daily.
The construction of this significant bridge commenced in April 2018 and reached its completion, marked by the inauguration ceremony led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 12 January 2024.
How it started ?
In the 1990s, the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) saw the future challenges of traffic congestion and accidents in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region. With six existing bridges connecting Mumbai and Navi Mumbai over Thane Creek, the MMRDA recognized their limitations in handling the increasing traffic, leading to congestion and extended commute times between the two cities. These bridges, built in the past, were narrow and outdated, unable to meet the demands of growing traffic.
To address these issues, the MMRDA proposed a comprehensive solution – a new link between Mumbai and Navi Mumbai designed to accommodate higher traffic volumes, ensuring easier, faster, safer, and hassle-free travel. The proposal, outlining the urgency and benefits of the project, was submitted to the Government of Maharashtra in 2012. The Government of India and the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) approved the project in 2015.
The foundation stone for the construction of this essential link was laid by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 24 December 2016. Initially slated for completion by 2021, the MMRDA awarded contracts for the project in November 2017, and construction officially commenced in April 2018. The original timeline projected completion within 4.5 years, aiming for a finish by 2022.
However, the COVID-19 pandemic caused an unforeseen delay of approximately 8 months in the construction timeline. Initially expected to be completed by August 2023 and later revised to December 2023, the project faced challenges in adhering to its schedule. Eventually, overcoming the setbacks, the construction concluded in December 2023. The inauguration ceremony took place on 12 January 2024, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi officiating the event.