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

The formidable Mumbai Trans Harbour Link, which will be inaugurated tomorrow. Pics/Atul Kamble

Ahead of the inauguration of the much-awaited Mumbai Trans Harbour Link (MTHL), connecting Sewri with Nhava Sheva, on Friday, mid-day carried out a test drive on Tuesday and can confirm that India's longest sea bridge, a Rs 17,500 crore engineering marvel, will indeed be a game-changer.

Saver of precious time
This newspaper confirmed claims about the bridge helping save commuters' time 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.

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 Mumbai-Pune Expressway.

Also Read: Mumbai Trans Harbour Link: Police sets 100 kmph speed limit on bridge, check details

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 commuting speed, the bridge is expected to handle 70,000 passenger car units daily.

ORT uses systems such as radio-frequency identification tags or licence plate recognition

Seamless toll collection
The bridge also features India'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'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.

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.

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.

A sound barrier, which will prevent migratory birds from being rattled by the movement of traffic

Important MTHL facts
>> The MTHL, officially named the Atal Bihari Vajpayee Sewri-Nhava Sheva Atal Setu, is a record-breaking breakthrough in connectivity, infrastructure, and technology

>> 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.

>> During construction, reverse circulation drilling was used for the first time in India for laying the pile foundation.

>> 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.

>> The project involved global collaboration with experts from over 10 countries and 15,000 skilled labourers working round the clock in three shifts.

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's timeline

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
Mumbai Trans Harbour Link work is completed by the end of the month

16.5 km
Length of MTHL's marine section