Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the Mumbai Trans Harbour Link (MTHL), now known as Atal Bihari Vajpayee Sewari Nhava Sheva Atal Setu, the longest sea bridge constructed at a cost of over Rs17,840 crore in the country, on Friday around 3.30pm. Besides, Modi will inaugurate the 27th National Youth Festival in Nashik and later launch development projects worth over Rs30,500 crore in Maharashtra.
Atal Setu has been constructed at a total cost of more than Rs17,840 crore. It is about 21.8 km long, a 6-lane bridge with approximately 16.5 km over the sea and about 5.5 km on the land. It is the longest bridge in India and also the longest sea bridge in the country. The foundation stone of the bridge was laid by the Prime Minister in December 2016.
According to an official statement, it will provide faster connectivity to Mumbai International Airport and Navi Mumbai International Airport, reducing travel time from Mumbai to Pune, Goa, and South India. Additionally, it will enhance connectivity between Mumbai Port and Jawaharlal Nehru Port.
Around 12:15 pm, Prime Minister Modi will reach Nashik, where he will inaugurate the 27th National Youth Festival. At approximately 3:30 pm in Mumbai, the Prime Minister will inaugurate and travel on the Atal Bihari Vajpayee Sewri — Nhava Sheva Atal Setu. At around 4:15 pm, the Prime Minister will participate in a public programme at Navi Mumbai, inaugurating, dedicating to the nation, and laying the foundation stone for multiple development projects.
The Prime Minister will inaugurate, dedicate to the nation, and lay the foundation stone for multiple development projects worth more than Rs12,700 crore during the public programme in Navi Mumbai.
The Prime Minister will also lay the foundation stone for an underground road tunnel connecting Eastern Freeway’s Orange Gate to Marine Drive.
The 9.2 km tunnel will be constructed at a cost of more than Rs8,700 crore, representing a significant infrastructure development in Mumbai that will reduce travel time between Orange Gate and Marine Drive.
Furthermore, the Prime Minister will dedicate phase 1 of the Surya regional bulk drinking water project to the nation. Developed at a cost exceeding Rs 1,975 crore, this project will provide drinking water supply to the Palghar and Thane districts of Maharashtra, benefiting approximately 14 lakh people.
During the programme, the Prime Minister will dedicate approximately Rs2000 crore to railway projects for the nation. These projects include the dedication of ‘Phase 2 of Uran-Kharkopar railway line,’ which will enhance connectivity to Navi Mumbai by extending suburban services from Nerul/Belapur to Kharkopar to Uran. The Prime Minister will also flag off the inaugural run of the EMU train from Uran railway station to Kharkopar.
Other rail projects to be dedicated to the nation include a new suburban station, ‘Digha Gaon,’ on the Thane-Vashi/Panvel Trans-harbour line, and the new 6th Line between Khar Road & Goregaon railway station.