Mumbai Trans Harbour Link Road passes crucial load test

The Mumbai Trans Harbour Link (MTHL) - the longest sea bridge in the country - has moved closer to becoming a reality with the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) completing a load test on the bridge. Work on the bridge continues contrary to the Maharashtra BJP's claims that it would be ready for public use by December 25. Amid this, former minister and Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray on Tuesday questioned the state government for the delay.

An official from the MMRDA said, "The MMRDA has carried out the load-carrying capacity test on the MTHL. Dumpers (heavy vehicles) were parked on the bridge for a certain amount of time." With the conclusion of this test, the MMRDA's engineering wing can clear the opening of the bridge. Earlier, the Maharashtra BJP had claimed that the MTHL would be thrown open on December 25. However, the MMRDA, which is implementing the project, had said last month that although it was 97 per cent complete, the remaining work would not be over by then.

The MMRDA is the nodal agency for the MTHL. File pic

It has also been reported that while the MMRDA recommended a one-way toll of Rs 500, the state government had proposed a one-way toll of Rs 350. Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, who heads the urban development department and is the MMRDA chairman, is expected to make a final decision on this soon. The MTHL, also known as Sewri-Nhava Sheva Trans Harbour Link, (officially Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Trans Harbour Link), is expected to accommodate about 70,000 vehicles daily.

‘Why the delay?'

On December 26, Aaditya posted on X, formerly Twitter, "Why does our state face so much discrimination? Surat Diamond Bourse was shown to the world in a hurry, but in Maharashtra, MTHL awaits inauguration. Digha Railway Station awaits inauguration for more than eight months. Uran Line awaits inauguration. These are just a few of the infrastructural works that this regime has nothing to do with, apart from inaugurate, and yet are delaying it. The delay is either because they want to inaugurate closer to election dates, or the VIPs don't have time for Maharashtra.

Or maybe, push a few more crucial industries to their "favourite state" before Maharashtra can have its infrastructure used by its citizens. Whatever it is, the citizens suffer due to the absolute hatred the current regimes have for Maharashtra. 2024 is the year we decide through our elections, whether we want these anti-Maharashtra forces to decide the future of our state, or do we decide our future."

The MMRDA is the nodal agency for the MTHL project. The 21.8-kilometre six-lane access-controlled bridge from Sewri in Mumbai to Chirle in Navi Mumbai has three interchanges. One interchange is at Sewri in south Mumbai, connecting the MTHL to Eastern Freeway (Mumbai side), the second is at Shivaji Nagar in Ulwe connecting MTHL to Navi Mumbai Coastal Road Project, and the third is the Chirle interchange - where one arm will connect to the State Highway-54 and the second arm will connect to NH4 Mumbai Pune Highway.

70k
Vehicles structure can accommodate on daily basis

21.8 km
Length of the sea bridge