PM Narendra Modi to inaugurate Mumbai Trans Harbour Link tomorrow

PM Narendra Modi. File pic/PTI

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the Mumbai Trans Harbour Link (MTHL) on Friday, January 12. The MTHL also known as Atal Setu named is after former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee. The inauguration ceremony is expected to take around 3.30 pm.

Maharashtra chief minister Eknath Shinde is also expected to be at the event tomorrow. The MTHL project was undertaken by Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA).

MTHL will be connecting Sewri with Nhava Sheva and is said to be India's longest sea bridge, a Rs 17,840 crore engineering project. Modi had laid the foundation stone of the bridge in December, 2016. The bridge is about 21.8 km long six-lane bridge having about 16.5 km length over sea and about 5.5 km on the land. It will provide faster connectivity to the Mumbai International Airport and Navi Mumbai International Airport and will also reduce the travel time from Mumbai to Pune, Goa and South India. It will also improve connectivity between Mumbai Port and Jawaharlal Nehru Port, the statement from PMO said.

Designed for a 100-kmph commuting speed, the bridge is expected to handle 70,000 passenger car units daily, the bridge is the longest sea-bridge in India. The MTHL is made with special features like capability to withstand earthquakes, wind pressure and tide and also ensures a 100-year service life with special corrosion-resistant admixtures and materials. The MTHL, officially named the Atal Bihari Vajpayee Sewri-Nhava Sheva Atal Setu, is a record-breaking breakthrough in connectivity, infrastructure, and technology.

During his visit to Mumbai on Friday, prime minister Modi will also lay the foundation stone of the underground road tunnel connecting Eastern Freeway's Orange Gate to Marine Drive. The 9.2 km tunnel will be built at a cost of more than Rs 8,700 crore and will be a significant infrastructure development in Mumbai, the statement said.

Among other projects, he will dedicate Phase 1 of the Surya regional bulk drinking water project to the nation. Developed at a cost of more than Rs 1,975 crore, it will provide drinking water supply to Palghar and Thane districts of Maharashtra, benefiting about 14 lakh population. The prime minister will also inaugurate 'Bharat Ratnam' - the Mega Common Facilitation Centre for Gems and Jewellery sector at Santacruz Electronic Export Processing Zone- Special Economic Zone (SEEPZ SEZ), which is first of its kind in India with best available machines including for 3D metal printing.