Former union minister of Communications & Shipping and Congress leader Milind Deora has urged the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) to have a 'bus priority lane' on the newly-opened Mumbai Trans Harbour Link, officially called as the Atal Setu, also appealing the BEST to arrange for bus routes from Navi Mumbai to Mumbai via the new link.

“I have been a strong advocate of this project for over two decades and I believe it will completely transform the Mumbai Metropolitan Region for the better. As you will surely agree, all infrastructure projects should be designed for maximum benefit to the common man, the commuter. As per the latest survey numbers, over 50-60% of commuters in the MMR use public transport, while just 5-6% own cars. I therefore request you to demarcate a special "bus priority lane" on each side of the MTHL, with priority for BEST buses, as well as buses of Navi Mumbai Metropolitan Transport (NMMT), Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC), private office buses. Of course, this would also be open to emergency vehicles and police,” Deora said in a letter addressed to the MMRDA Metropolitan Commissioner Dr Sanjay Mukherjee, a copy of which is with mid-day.