Steel used in Atal Setu can help build 4 Howrah Bridges, 17 Eiffel Towers — Here’s all you need to know about MTHL sea bridge

The bridge, which is a total of 22 km, is constructed using advanced Japanese technology. While 16.5 km of the bridge is on the sea, 5.5 km is an elevated road on land.

The bridge starts at Sewri in South Mumbai and connects Chirle near Nhava Sheva in Navi Mumbai.

The interchanges for this bridge are located at Sewri in Mumbai and Shivaji Nagar, Chirle, SH-54 and NH-348 in Navi Mumbai, thus providing improved connectivity from Mumbai to Navi Mumbai, Pune, Goa and South India.

Materials used to build MTHL

The structural steel used in Atal Setu accounts for about 1.2 lakh tonnes, enough to support the erection of four Howrah Bridges.

This massive project is constructed utilising 8,30,000 cubic metre of concrete which is six times more than the quantity required to build the iconic Statue of Unity. The use of reinforced steel is 17 times the quantity used in the Eiffel Tower.

The total investment of about Rs 20,000 crore towards manpower, equipment and material. Nearly 15,000 skilled labourers and more than 1,500 engineers have contributed in completing this project.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the newly-inaugurated Atal Bihari Vajpayee Sewri-Nhava Sheva Atal Setu, on Friday, Jan. 12, 2024. (PTI Photo)

The bridge, designed for commuting speed of 100 km/h with a daily capacity of 70,000 vehicles, connects major expressways and other corridors.

This MTHL, which is positioned between Mumbai Port Trust and Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust, is constructed for a 100-year lifespan using corrosion-resistant materials to withstand earthquakes, cyclones, wind pressure and tides.

The 70 long spans of Orthotropic Steel Decks (OSD) with lengths ranging from 65 metre to 180 metre and weighing up to 2,800 MT were erected across the marine area using Japanese technology.

The implementation of the OSD bridge girders was accomplished in Atal Setu for the first time in India.

MTHL is equipped with advance technology

A unique toll management system, which goes beyond traditional toll collection methods by embracing Electronic Toll Collection (ETC) through the Open Barrier Tolling methodology has been installed on the MTHL.

In addition, a Comprehensive Surveillance System utilises a network of high-definition cameras strategically placed along the route.

Speed Violation Detection System has been installed to enforce speed limits and for enhanced road safety, a Video Incident Detection System to promptly detect and respond to incidents has been installed.

There are Emergency Calling Boxes on the MTHL to provide motorists with a direct communication link to emergency services. Meanwhile, Variable Message Display (VMD) systems have been installed to effectively communicate real-time information to the commuters.

The MTHL also has an Advanced Traffic Management System (ATMS), which is a centralised system that allows operators to monitor and manage traffic, incidents and emergency responses in real-time.

The utilisation of the Intelligent Transportation Management Systems (ITMS) and Advanced Traffic Management Systems (ATMS) in this International standard project has shown that technology and infrastructure can work together harmoniously and it will revolutionise the way people commute from one place to another.

The privacy of sensitive areas like the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) and Oil terminals of the BPCL, are protected using strategically placed view barriers.

Environmental concerns addressed and how MTHL will push growth

The MTHL project has been designed and constructed taking into consideration aspects of ecological preservation and protection of the Flamingo habitat.

This project envisages to reduce fuel consumption, greenhouse gas emissions and also the travel time of commuters between Mumbai and Navi Mumbai and its surrounding areas.

The MTHL will accelerate the growth of ‘Third Mumbai’ and lead to financial, social, educational, industrial and overall progress in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region.

In view of the economic boost, which shall be provided by the MTHL, this project can be called a “game changer”. The MTHL will also help in creating better employment opportunities in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region which will be beneficial in reshaping the future of this region and its people.