Context: The six-lane trans-harbour bridge is 21.8 km long with a 16.5 km sea-link; Atal Setu shows India’s infrastructural prowess, says PM as he lays foundation stone for projects worth Rs 12,700 crore; says government’s vision is to improve ease of mobility of citizens by strengthening transport infrastructure.\

About Atal Setu

• Atal Setu is the longest bridge and also the longest sea bridge in India. It is the 12th longest sea bridge in the world.

• Budget Outlay: Built at a cost of about Rs 17,840 crore.

• Ease of Mobility: Earlier known as Mumbai Transharbour Link (MTHL), Atal setu is envision to improve the ‘ease of mobility’ of citizens by strengthening urban transport infrastructure and connectivity. 

• The foundation stone of the bridge was laid by the prime minister in December 2016.

Features of Atal Setu 

• It is the longest bridge and also the longest sea bridge in India. It will provide faster connectivity to Mumbai International Airport and Navi Mumbai International Airport.

Atal Setu

• Dimension of Setu: It is a 21.8-km long six-lane bridge having 16.5 km length over the sea and about 5.5 km on the land. 

• Potential: It is expected to ferry almost 70,000 vehicles daily on completion and have a life of 100 years.

• Faster Connectivity: It will provide faster connectivity to Mumbai International Airport and Navi Mumbai International Airport.

• All Weather Technology: It has specially-designed lighting poles to withstand high-velocity winds during monsoons and is also equipped with a Lightning Protection System to safeguard against potential damage caused by lightning.

• Environmental Sustainability: From Sewri, an 8.5-km noise barrier has been installed since the portion of the bridge passes through a flamingo protected area and Bhabha Atomic Research Centre.

• Commuter Aid: It will reduce the travel time from Mumbai to Pune, Goa and South India. 

• Distance between Panvel in Raigad district to Sewri in south-central Mumbai will be reduced by 15 kilometres, while travel time will come down from around two hours to 15 to 20 minutes.

• The saving in fuel cost would be around Rs 500 per journey, 

• Toll: The Maharashtra government has cleared a proposal to charge Rs 250 as a one-way toll for cars on the Atal Bihari Vajpayee Sewri-Nhava Sheva Atal Setu.

• Only half the amount, as per existing rules of toll collection is being charged.

Other Projects Inauguration by Prime Minister

• At Navi Mumbai, the prime minister will unveil development projects worth more than Rs 12,700 crore.

• Underground Road Tunnel: PM Modi will 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 that will reduce travel time between Orange Gate and Marine Drive.

• Railway Projects: Prime Minister will dedicate railway projects worth Rs 2,000 crore to the nation. 

• Phase 2 of Uran-Kharkopar railway line: It will enhance connectivity to Navi Mumbai as suburban services running between Nerul/Belapur to Kharkopar will now be extended to Uran. 

• PM Modi will flag off the inaugural run of the EMU train from Uran railway station to Kharkopar.

• Bharat Ratnam for Gems & Jewelley: Prime Minister will inaugurate Bharat Ratnam for Gems and Jewellery sector at Santacruz Electronic Export Processing Zone- Special Economic Zone,  which is the first of its kind in India with the best available machines in the world including 3D Metal printing.

• Namo Mahila Shashaktikaran Abhiyaan: It aims to empower women in Maharashtra by providing skill development training and exposure to entrepreneurship development.