Ahead of the inauguration of the much-awaited <a href="https://www.mid-day.com/mumbai/mumbai-news/article/mumbai-citizens-transport-experts-say-mthl-toll-too-high-23328497" target="_blank" rel="none noopener">Mumbai Trans Harbour Link</a> (MTHL), connecting Sewri with Nhava Sheva, on Friday, mid-day carried out a test drive on Tuesday and can confirm that India&rsquo;s longest sea bridge, a Rs 17,500 crore engineering marvel, will indeed be a game-changer.
<img src="http://origin.mid-day.com/images/2024/jan/Trans-Harbour-Link-1_e.jpg" alt="" width="1280" height="720" />
Saver of precious time This newspaper confirmed claims about the bridge helping save <a href="https://www.mid-day.com/mumbai/mumbai-news/article/-mumbai-trans-harbour-link-road-passes-crucial-load-test-23326880" target="_blank" rel="none noopener">commuters&rsquo; time</a> as it allowed this reporter to cover a 22-km distance in 22 minutes flat. Typically, it takes motorists 90-120 minutes to travel between Sewri and Panvel during morning and evening peak hours.
<img src="http://origin.mid-day.com/images/2024/jan/Trans-Harbour-Link-2_e.jpg" alt="The long-awaited bridge will prove a godsend for legions of commuters whose commute between Sewri and Panvel has been torturous" width="1280" height="720" /> The long-awaited bridge will prove a godsend for legions of commuters whose commute between Sewri and Panvel has been torturous
This bridge will also prove useful to motorists going from south and central Mumbai towards Panvel, Ura, JNPT, Pune and the Konkan via the <a href="https://www.mid-day.com/mumbai/mumbai-news/article/mumbai-bmc-beautification-project-continues-to-take-toll-on-trees-23325162" target="_blank" rel="none noopener">Mumbai-Pune Expressway</a>.
Also Read: <a href="https://www.mid-day.com/mumbai/mumbai-news/article/mumbai-trans-harbour-link-police-sets-100-kmph-speed-limit-on-the-bridge-check-details-23329294" target="_blank" rel="none noopener">Mumbai Trans Harbour Link: Police sets 100 kmph speed limit on bridge, check details</a>
<img src="http://origin.mid-day.com/images/2024/jan/Trans-Harbour-Link-3_e.jpg" alt="" width="1280" height="720" />
Smooth like butter During our journey, mid-day did not experience the bumps that one sometimes encounters while driving over the expansion joints of a flyover. Designed for a 100-kmph <a href="https://www.mid-day.com/mumbai/mumbai-news/article/mumbai-repairs-begin-on-cracked-and-criticised-aarey-road-23324056" target="_blank" rel="none noopener">commuting speed</a>, the bridge is expected to handle 70,000 passenger car units daily.
<img src="http://origin.mid-day.com/images/2024/jan/Trans-Harbour-Link-4_e.jpg" alt="ORT uses systems such as radio-frequency identification tags or licence plate recognition" width="1280" height="720" /> ORT uses systems such as radio-frequency identification tags or licence plate recognition
Seamless toll collection The bridge also features India&rsquo;s first Open Road Tolling (ORT) system, a toll collection method that allows cars to go through toll booths without stopping. ORT uses electronic toll collecting systems such as radio-frequency identification tags or licence plate recognition to automatically deduct toll charges from a driver&rsquo;s account as they drive through the toll point at regular speeds. In contrast to manual toll collection systems, this technology improves traffic flow and decreases congestion. For motorists going towards Navi Mumbai or Panvel from Sewri or vice versa, there is a toll plaza at the Chirle end. Government officials told mid-day that there will be a food mall on the Chirle side before entering MTHL and the work on the same is in progress.
<img src="http://origin.mid-day.com/images/2024/jan/Trans-Harbour-Link-5_e.jpg" alt="" width="1280" height="720" />
Crystal clear signage Proper signage has been put in place while lane markings and speed limits were clearly visible to prevent over-speeding. High-tech closed-circuit television cameras have been installed on the structure at strategic locations to crack down on wannabe speed demons.
<img src="http://origin.mid-day.com/images/2024/jan/Trans-Harbour-Link-7_e.jpg" alt="Moveable barriers that will be used to create emergency lanes" width="1280" height="720" /> Moveable barriers that will be used to create emergency lanes
Do Not Disturb Taking into consideration the important wetland habitat below the MTHL where flamingos and other migratory birds visit, the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) has installed noise barriers to minimise the disturbance that may arise due to traffic movement. At some locations, movable barriers have also been installed and they can be adjusted swiftly to create emergency lanes, facilitating faster response times for emergency services.
<img src="http://origin.mid-day.com/images/2024/jan/Trans-Harbour-Link-8_e.jpg" alt="A sound barrier, which will prevent migratory birds from being rattled by the movement of traffic" width="1280" height="720" /> A sound barrier, which will prevent migratory birds from being rattled by the movement of traffic
Important MTHL facts &gt;&gt; The MTHL, officially named the Atal Bihari Vajpayee Sewri-Nhava Sheva Atal Setu, is a record-breaking breakthrough in connectivity, infrastructure, and technology
&gt;&gt; It connects the island city to mainland Maharashtra, resolving land scarcity issues caused by geographical limitations. The bridge comprises a 16.5 km marine section and a 5.5 km elevated road on land, utilising advanced transformative Japanese technology.
&gt;&gt; During construction, reverse circulation drilling was used for the first time in India for laying the pile foundation.
&gt;&gt; The bridge has been engineered to withstand earthquakes, wind pressure and tides, ensuring a 100-year service life with special corrosion-resistant admixtures and materials.
&gt;&gt; The project involved global collaboration with experts from over 10 countries and 15,000 skilled labourers working round the clock in three shifts.
<img src="http://origin.mid-day.com/images/2024/jan/Trans-Harbour-Link-6_e.jpg" alt="Lane markings and clearly indicated speed limits help idiot-proof the trans harbour link" width="1280" height="720" /> Lane markings and clearly indicated speed limits help idiot-proof the trans harbour link
22KM Approx length of bridge
100 yrs Service life of structure
15,000 No of skilled labourers involved in project
70,000 No of passenger car units MTHL will handle daily
Key months in project&rsquo;s timeline
<img src="http://origin.mid-day.com/images/2024/jan/Trans-Harbour-Link-9_e.jpg" alt="" width="1280" height="720" />
January 2016 MMRDA invites firms for general consultancy
January 2016 The ministry of environment and forest accords CRZ clearance to the project
December 2016 Prime Minister Narendra Modi lays the foundation stone for the infrastructure marvel
December 2017 Civil contractors are appointed for construction work
December 2023&nbsp; Mumbai Trans Harbour Link work is completed by the end of the month
16.5 km Length of MTHL&rsquo;s marine section
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mid-day takes a ride on the engineering marvel of the Mumbai Trans Harbour Link to discover many firsts

Mid-Day test drive: First look of Mumbai Trans Harbour Link ahead of inauguration on Jan 12

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Home / Mumbai / Mumbai News / Article / Mid-Day test drive: First look of Mumbai Trans Harbour Link ahead of inauguration on Jan 12

Mid-Day test drive: First look of Mumbai Trans Harbour Link ahead of inauguration on Jan 12

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