In this blog, we drive on the Nhava Sheva – Sewri Atal Setu Bridge Mumbai or Mumbai Trans Harbour Link to have a different experience. We are excited about this drive on one of the Longest Sea Bridges in the world which takes us through the Arabian Sea to the Land of Dreams, Mumbai.
If you are coming from Pune or places to it like Satara, Kolhapur, Sambhaji Nagar (Aurangabad) or Solapur or even from Goa via the NH 66 then you should read this blog to understand if you should travel through the Atal Setu to reach Mumbai. So if you are a tourist or a traveler or someone interested in engineering then this blog is for you.
This Atal Setu Bridge Mumbai is an essential facility so that you can reach South or central Mumbai in less time and without traffic.
Our journey starts before the exit to Panvel on the Pune Mumbai Expressway. Taking a left from to reach this bridge from the Expressway, we have to travel about 5 – 6 km on the way to JNPT i.e. Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust.
Here you pass Panvel in Raigad district of Maharashtra, which has now grown a lot with tall buildings and housing societies. From this road, you may even see the new Airport Site here.
Also, on this road you will find stored containers which are brought by trucks from various companies to load ships on the JNPT Port.
Before going to Atal Setu Bridge Mumbai, you will see a flyover going and coming to and from Belapur in Navi Mumbai. Though this looks similar to the Atal Setu Bridge, Mumbai you do not have to travel over it.
Post this diversion on the left, a lil ahead lies a left turn which takes you on the Nhava Shewa – Sewri Atal Setu Bridge Mumbai or Mumbai Trans Harbor Link. It is almost a complete circle.
Soon, the welcome sign greets you on the Nhaava Sheva Atal Setu Bridge Mumbai in honor of our Ex Prime Minister Late Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee.
Atal Setu Bridge Mumbai or Mumbai Trans Harbor Link Bridge
Now we were on the Atal Setu Bridge Mumbai or Mumbai Trans Harbor Link which was inaugurated on 12th Jan 2024 by our Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi. With the construction of this bridge, our country has passed the test of technology in construction and human will.
This bridge connects Navi Mumbai or Panvel to South Mumbai in over 20 minutes. Here, the toll is acquired from the vehicles at the beginning of the Atal Setu Bridge on both sides as you do not get to turn anywhere on the Bridge. This toll is Rs. 250/- for the Light Vehicles and for Heavy Vehicles the toll starts from Rs 700. 2 or 3 Wheelers or cycles are not allowed on this Sea bridge.
So we moved ahead over the bridge and took a closer look. This Sea Bridge is a civil engineering and architectural marvel.
The Length of the Atal Setu Bridge Mumbai or Mumbai Trans Harbor Link is 21.8 km, making it one of the longest sea bridges in the world.
The Atal Setu Bridge Mumbai or Mumbai Trans Harbor Link is lifted 25 – 27 meters above ocean due to which from here you can see the Arabian Sea and Mumbai City.
The Project Cost of Atal Setu Bridge Mumbai or Mumbai Trans Harbor Link is approximately Rs 17.5 thousand Crores and companies like L&T, Tata Projects and many other companies have contributed in it’s construction.
The Need of the Atal Setu Bridge Mumbai
Before the this bridge was constructed, it was a big challenge for the travelers coming from Pune or Goa and people of Navi Mumbai to reach Mumbai. There still is a lot of traffic between Panvel to Vashi then Chembur and then Mumbai which troubles you. But now he is no longer there.
With the construction of this bridge, an alternative has been provided to one of the traffic less routes of Maharashtra i.e. from Panvel to South Mumbai. In the coming times, it will be used for the airport near Panvel, hence this Sea Bridge will get more importance in future.
Facilities and Safety on the Atal Setu Bridge Mumbai
On this bridge you will get a total of 6 lanes for fast speed travel on both sides where the speed limit is 100 Km per hour. The lanes are quite wide and the distance of the Sea Bridge is well marked between them.
Apart from the vehicle lanes, there is no sidewalk provided for pedestrians on the bridge, perhaps there would be no need for it here either.
Proper Safety arrangements have also been made here. There are Cameras and Speed Monitors at regular distances which can manage traffic or any emergency.
At a distance, we saw some structure in the water, after going a little closer we realized that this was a rescue station. There was space marked for emergency rescue. Nearby there was an emergency staircase also, in case one has to get into the water. We were quite impressed as we had not seen such an emergency facility in India before so we are quite impressed.
Cracks on the Nhava Shewa - Sewri Atal Setu Bridge Mumbai
It has been more than 6 months since this bridge has been built. We went through a few reports that cracks have appeared on this bridge.
We did not see any cracks on the bridge and perhaps these cracks will not be visible to you during normal travel. But as far as travelers were concerned, there was not any particular damage which people should be worried about.
Scenic Value of the Atal Setu Bridge Mumbai
After the rescue station, here on the last part of the bridge, prepare yourself for some beautiful scenes. The feeling of passing through the water in the middle of the ocean on both sides is very romantic.
Check these picture of the beautiful Mumbai skyline.
Exits from the Nhava Shewa - Sewri Atal Setu Bridge Mumbai
Now let us tell you which places you can go to in Mumbai from this bridge. As we approach the South side of Mumbai, you can see that the high skyline emerges, which is a proof of the lively and bustling life.
From this point onwards you need take a certain exit of the 3 exits available
From Exit 1A, you can go to Mumbai Central i.e. Wadala, Parel, Dadar
From Exit 1B, you can go to South Mumbai Colaba or Mantralaya or Gateway of India in South Mumbai via Mumbai’s Eastern Freeway.
From Exit 1C, you can go to Mumbai Port, Sewri
There are separate exits for each place and if you take the wrong exit then you may lose an hour of your travel time. From the Eastern Freeway you can even go back towards Chembur.
Also, this Sea Bridge will not be of much help to travel to the Mumbai Western suburbs like Andheri, Bandra, Borvali etc
Summary
We leave you with this image of the this legendary Nhava Shewa – Sewri Atal Setu or Mumbai Trans Harbor Link.
So, next time whenever you pass through this Sea bridge, you will remember this image. This image displays our road which is above the main road below us, taking us closer to meet the Eastern Freeway which is another bridge. To add this are 2 more flyovers on top our Sea Bridge.
Would you like to see this wonder of civil engineering of our country in video, then check out our youtube video on the same topic.