Mumbai's Atal Setu turns 1: Over 22k daily vehicles but has India's longest sea bridge met its goal?

Mumbai's Atal Setu, India’s longest sea bridge, commemorates one year of operations since its public inauguration on January 13, 2024. Facilitating the movement of 83,06,009 vehicles in its first year—an average of 22,689 vehicles daily—the bridge has played a pivotal role in easing transit between Mumbai and Navi Mumbai.

Spanning nearly 22 kilometres, this engineering marvel connects Sewri in Mumbai to Chirle in Navi Mumbai, forming a vital link between the two cities. While its scale is monumental, the traffic figures highlight a contrasting narrative of achievement and under-utilisation, with numbers falling short of projections due to delays in completion and other limitations.

Built at an approximate cost of ₹17,840 crore, Mumbai's Atal Bihari Vajpayee Sewri-Nhava Sheva Atal Setu (formerly Mumbai Trans Harbour Link or MTHL) was projected to handle 57,525 vehicles daily by 2021 and 88,550 vehicles by 2031. However, this 6-lane bridge recorded an average daily traffic of 22,689 vehicles over the past year, significantly below initial expectations, per reports by the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA).

On its busiest day, January 14, 2024, the bridge witnessed a traffic count of 61,807 vehicles. In total, 83,06,009 vehicles traversed the bridge in its inaugural year, including:

• 77,28,149 cars

• 99,660 mini-buses and light commercial vehicles (LCVs)

• 1,17,604 buses and two-axle trucks

• 1,99,636 three-axle vehicles

• 1,60,061 four to six-axle vehicles

• 899 over-dimension vehicles

These figures underline the bridge’s role in facilitating smoother transit between Mumbai and Navi Mumbai, while also pointing to the gap between the projected and actual usage.

1. Advanced Traffic Management System (ATMS): This comprehensive system monitors and manages traffic flow to prevent congestion and ensure safety.

2. Emergency Response Units: The bridge is equipped with Fire-Rescue Vehicles (FRVs), medical aid teams, and patrolling units to handle incidents promptly.

3. Round-the-Clock Monitoring: Three specialised teams operate 24/7 to oversee traffic, provide medical assistance in case of accidents, and address any disruptions on the bridge.

MMRDA also noted that the structure serves as a critical connection between Mumbai International Airport and the upcoming Navi Mumbai International Airport, expected to become operational in April 2025. The bridge has also significantly shortened travel times to Pune, Goa, and South India, while improving connectivity between Mumbai Port and Jawaharlal Nehru Port.

While Atal Setu stands as a testament to engineering prowess, its lower-than-expected traffic volumes highlight the challenges of fully realising its potential. Over time, as Navi Mumbai International Airport becomes operational and regional development progresses, the bridge’s utility and importance are expected to increase further.