Completion of the project is a testament to the partnership between India and Japan
Mumbai : PM Narendra Modi, today inaugurated Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) – funded, India’s longest sea bridge spanning over 21.8 km., connecting the financial capital of India, Mumbai with its satellite city Navi Mumbai. Alongside Prime Minister Modi, the event was graced by the presence of esteemed guests including H.E. Mr. SUZUKI Hiroshi, Japanese Ambassador to India and Mr. SAITO Mitsunori, Chief Representative, JICA India Office.
The bridge is named after the iconic former Prime Minister of India Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee and is called as ‘Atal Bihari Vajpayee Sewri – Nhava Sheva Atal Setu’, and it is also known as the ‘Mumbai Trans Harbour Link (MTHL)’. As the State-of-the-Art infrastructure marks a historic milestone in the connectivity landscape of India, the landmark infrastructure celebrates and showcases the exemplary India-Japan friendship aimed at promoting sustainable growth of the society, together.
Today marks a historic milestone in the connectivity landscape of India as Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi inaugurated the JICA-funded, Atal Bihari Vajpayee Sewri – Nhava Sheva Atal Setu, the construction of which began in 2018. With its successful completion, the project cements its position as India’s longest sea bridge, signifying the effective partnership between India and Japan.
The primary objective of this project is to enhance connectivity within the Mumbai Metropolitan Region, addressing the region’s growing needs and contributing to its overall development. The new link between Mumbai and Navi Mumbai is expected to reduce the travel time between the two sides from 60 minutes to mere 20 minutes. By alleviating traffic congestion and promoting socioeconomic integration, MTHL is strategically positioned to support Maharashtra’s rapid urbanisation.
JICA’s commitment to facilitating the construction of this transformative infrastructure is evident through the provision of three tranches of the ODA loan amounting to 242,459 million JPY (approximately 13,715 Cr INR), with the first tranche signed in March 2017, the second in March 2020, and the third in February 2023.
Mr. SUZUKI Hiroshi, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to India, spoke on this delightful occasion, stating “On behalf of the Government and people of Japan, I would like to extend my most sincere congratulations on the inauguration of the Mumbai Trans Harbour Link (MTHL). I would like to express my deep respect to Prime Minister Modi ji for your strong leadership in realizing this visionary project. I would like to thank Chief Minister Shri Eknath Shinde, Deputy Chief Minister Shri Devendra Fadnavis and Shri Ajit Pawar for their strong support. The Trans Harbour Link as India’s longest bridge also longest sea bridge will integrate central Mumbai, Navi Mumbai, New International Airport, and Jawaharlal Nehru Port into one economic zone, thereby creating a powerful new engine for economic growth into the future. This Trans Harbour Link will be the game changer, and it will bring transformational changes to greater Mumbai Region. I am so pleased that today’s opening of the Mumbai Trans Harbour Link will create yet another landmark in the long and brilliant history of special partnership between India and Japan.”
Mr. SAITO Mitsunori, Chief Representative of JICA India, expressed his elation at the accomplishment of the project, stating, “The successful completion of the MTHL project showcases the great efforts and achievement of the engineers involved in the project, overcoming many difficulties including the waves of COVID-19 pandemic. I would like to congratulate the MMRDA, the consultant, the contractors, and all the others who were involved in the construction of the longest sea bridge in India. We are also elated to see that the engineers from India and Japan’s collaborative efforts throughout the implementation, including the adaptation of Orthotropic Steel Deck, Japan’s bridge technology, for the first time in India. JICA’s decision to extend financial support underscores a deep-rooted commitment to fostering connectivity and infrastructural development in the dynamic landscape of the Region, and we are honoured to be part of the team that made this dream of Mumbai citizens come true.”
The inauguration of the MTHL will relief its daily users as it offers significant reduction in commute time and congestion, demonstrating an effective transport infrastructure. The strategic location of the bridge will not only streamline intra-city connectivity but will also establish faster connectivity to its adjoining key destinations such as the upcoming Navi Mumbai International Airport, Jawaharlal Nehru Port near Nava Sheva, and the Mumbai-Pune Expressway.
