India is witnessing a historic transformation in its infrastructure sector, thanks to the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. One of the most remarkable achievements of his government is the completion and inauguration of the Atal Setu bridge, India’s longest sea bridge, which connects Mumbai with Navi Mumbai.
What is Atal Setu bridge?
The Atal Setu bridge, also known as the Mumbai Trans Harbour Link (MTHL), is a 21.8 km long 6-lane bridge that spans over the Arabian Sea and the Thane Creek. It carries National Highway 66 and reduces the travel time between Mumbai and Navi Mumbai from two hours to 20 minutes. It also provides easy access to the upcoming Navi Mumbai International Airport and the Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust, one of India’s largest ports.
The bridge is named after former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, who laid the foundation stone for the project in 2004. However, due to various delays and hurdles, the project remained stalled for over a decade. It was only after Modi came to power in 2014 that the project was revived and fast-tracked. The construction work began in 2016 and was completed in 2024, despite the challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic.
The bridge is an engineering marvel, as it is built over a complex terrain of deep water, soft soil, strong winds and seismic activity. It has a cable-stayed portion of 550 m and a viaduct approach of 3.2 km. The main bridge has four pylons that rise up to 70 m above sea level and support 216 cables that hold up the deck. The bridge has a design life of 100 years and can withstand wind speeds of up to 200 kmph and earthquakes of up to magnitude 7 on the Richter scale.
How does Atal Setu bridge benefit India?
The Atal Setu bridge is not just a symbol of India’s engineering prowess, but also a catalyst for its economic growth and social development. The bridge will boost connectivity, trade, tourism, employment and urban development in the Mumbai metropolitan region, which contributes about 6% of India’s GDP.
Some of the benefits of the bridge are:
- It will ease traffic congestion and reduce pollution in Mumbai, which is one of the most densely populated and polluted cities in the world.
- It will facilitate faster movement of goods and passengers between Mumbai and Navi Mumbai, which are emerging as hubs for industries, services, education and health care.
- It will spur the development of new residential, commercial and industrial areas along the corridor, creating opportunities for investment and employment.
- It will enhance the security and defence of India’s western coast, as it will provide an alternative route for strategic movements in case of emergencies or disruptions.
- It will promote tourism and cultural exchange, as it will offer scenic views of the sea and the mangroves, as well as access to historical and religious sites such as Elephanta Caves and Uran.
What is Modi government’s vision for infrastructure?
The Atal Setu bridge is only one of the many ambitious infrastructure projects that Modi government has undertaken or completed in its tenure. Some of the other notable projects are:
- Bharatmala Pariyojana: A flagship road development program that aims to build 65,000 km of highways across India by 2030.
- Sagarmala Project: A coastal development initiative that aims to modernize India’s ports and enhance their connectivity with hinterland through rail, road and inland waterways.
- Dedicated Freight Corridors: A railway project that aims to build two high-speed freight corridors between Delhi-Mumbai and Delhi-Kolkata by 2025.
- UDAN Scheme: A regional connectivity scheme that aims to make air travel affordable and accessible for common people by connecting unserved and underserved airports across India.
- Jal Jeevan Mission: A water supply scheme that aims to provide piped drinking water to every rural household by 2024.
- PM Awas Yojana: A housing scheme that aims to provide affordable housing to all urban poor by 2022.
- Smart Cities Mission: An urban development scheme that aims to transform 100 cities into smart cities by leveraging technology and innovation.
These projects reflect Modi government’s commitment to build a new India that is modern, prosperous and inclusive. They also showcase India’s potential to become a global leader in infrastructure development and innovation.