Public can use MTHL from 8am today; govt tweaks toll further

As per a new notification issued late Thursday, the toll for passenger vehicles for the Sewri-Shivaji Nagar (Ulwe) stretch has been fixed at Rs 200 and Rs 50 for the Shivaji Nagar-Gavhan stretch. The new rates will kick in from Saturday and will be applicable for a year.

So, while the sea bridge will be thrown open for traffic by Saturday morning, it is likely that the state may allow commuters to use the stretch for free on the first day of its operations.

The gazette notification states that the toll for the Sewri-Gavhan stretch, which is the entire distance of the sea bridge, will be Rs 250. The return fare will be Rs 375. Daily pass will be Rs 625, while a monthly pass will be Rs 12,500.

On Sewri to Shivaji Nagar stretch, which is the most likely to be used by residents who want to head to the residential suburbs of Navi Mumbai such as Vashi, Sanpada, Nerul, Jui Nagar, Seawoods, CBD Belapur and Kharghar, the toll has been kept at Rs 200.

The return trip for passenger cars will be Rs 300, daily pass Rs 500 and monthly pass Rs 10,000. The toll on the Shivaji Nagar-Gavhan stretch is Rs 50 and Rs 75 for the return toll.

The Mumbai Police will regulate traffic on 10.4-km stretch from Sewri, while rest of the sea link from the Navi Mumbai side will be under the jurisdiction of Nhava Sheva police.

A speed limit of 100 kmph has been set for the MTHL, while the speed limits on the ramps leading to the sea bridge is 40 kmph.
Traffic police have also restricted entries of two-wheelers and three-wheelers on the bridge. Police have also banned the entry of mopeds, autorickshaws, three-wheeler tempos, tractors, tractors with unladen trolleys, animal-drawn vehicles and slow-moving vehicles.

Multi-axle trucks, buses and other heavy vehicles are restricted from entry on the eastern freeway. They will have to use Mumbai Port-Sewri exit (exit 1C) to Gaadi Adda, MbPT Road for further movement.