Day 1 on Mumbai’s Atal Setu: Over 8,000 vehicles zoom at 100 kmph in just 12 hours

An official said that traffic was good throughout the day. “The speed limit on the MTHL is 100 kmph and no vehicles are allowed to stop and click photos. However, since it was the first day, commuters were allowed to take photos… We took help from the police to manage the traffic.” For most people who used the bridge, it was the novelty factor that drew them to it.

Rajesh Sinha, an IT professional from Chembur, even tried visiting the bridge in the night, but found it barricaded. He drove for the second time on Saturday with his wife and their pet dog. “He is so excited that we have made another plan with our friends to see the skyline tonight from the bridge,” his wife said.

The 21.8 km-long Atal Bihari Vajpayee Smruti Sewri-Nhava Sheva Atal Setu link road was dotted with multiple parked vehicles on its inaugural day, as commuters enjoyed the sea breeze and clicked photographs.

Ilyas Shankla, a businessman from Bandra, also visited the Trans Harbour link road with his wife on Saturday. “The view is so beautiful,” he said. While people spent Rs 375 for a return trip on the Trans link on Saturday, many said the toll was too expensive for a daily commute. A monthly pass for a car will cost Rs 12,500.