Mumbai Trans Harbour Link (MTHL): Features, Benefits, Current Status

Outshining the marvelous Bandra-Worli Sea Link, the Mumbai Trans Harbour Link (MTHL) is believed to become the next longest sea bridge in India, upon completion.

 Also known as the Sewri Nhava Sheva Sea Link, MTHL is one of the most challenging projects aimed to augment the connectivity between Mumbai and its satellite city, Navi Mumbai. This project, undertaken by the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA), also promises better traffic conditions and smoother inter-city as well as interstate travel.     

 In this article, let’s get to know a bit more about the Trans Harbour Sea Link Project, along with its importance, challenges, funding, and more. 

Mumbai Trans Harbour Link Project Overview

The Mumbai Trans Harbour Link Project (MTHL) is being constructed to connect the island city of Navi Mumbai and the mainland via Sewri and Chirle. The project will act as a catalyst for the faster development of Navi Mumbai and will help decongest the island. 

The plan for MTHL was drafted around 35 years ago, but due to several reasons, it got delayed. Also, there were three unsuccessful attempts of starting the Mumbai Trans Harbour Link construction in 2006, 2007, and 2013.

 After some time, the authority for the construction of the Mumbai Trans Harbour Link Project was transferred to MMRDA (Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority). It was only then that the construction of this massive project finally started. 

After the Mumbai Trans Harbour Link completion, the sea bridge is estimated to be 21.8 km long, which will help reduce a lot of traffic issues. It will ease the travel between Navi Mumbai and Mumbai and open quicker routes to the Navi Mumbai International Airport and Jawaharlal Nehru Port. Inter-city or inter-state travel to Panvel, Alibaug, Pune, and Goa will also be smoother and faster.    

It is estimated that the Mumbai Trans Harbour Link will be complete by 2023. Nearly 75,000 workers are employed to complete the project as soon as possible.

Mumbai Trans Harbour Link Project Map

Check out the MTHL map below:

Pic Source: indianexpress.com

Why is the Sewri Nhava Sheva Sea Link Important?

Here are 6 reasons why the Sewri Nhava Sheva Sea Link is an important addition to the infrastructure of Mumbai.

• The primary Mumbai Metropolitan Region is congested and crowded, with a population of over 12 million people.

• Since more people are migrating to Mumbai, residents and commuters face issues in getting basic amenities. This also reflects overcrowding in metros and other public transport facilities. With the Mumbai Trans Harbour Link Project, this problem can be reduced.

• Most portions of Mumbai have already been developed despite the challenging terrain. Only Navi Mumbai is left for developmental purposes, while its northern side is almost halfway there. However, because of partial development, the connectivity between the main city and Navi Mumbai is hampered. The Mumbai Trans Harbor Link would literally bridge this gap and smoothen the commute even further. 
• The southern part of Navi Mumbai offers 2500 ha of open land. This allows the government to build better connectivity between Navi Mumbai and the mainland. This will promote both urban and industrial development more efficiently.

• The new link will help manage and divert traffic growth. It will also help in minimizing the distance and travel time between two different areas and in the development of Navi Mumbai.

How will the MTHL Project Improve Connectivity? 

Here are the pointers on how connectivity will be established with the Mumbai Trans Harbour Link.

• The MMRDA (Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority) will build a 1.5 km long cloverleaf interchange. It will connect the Eastern Freeway, Acharya Donde Marg, R.A. Kidwai Marg, and the elevated Sewri-Worli Road (under construction).
• The interchange loop will be built on a vast plot spread over 27 acres. It is near the east of the Sewri Railway Station.
• The 27-acre plot is on lease for the next 30 years, whose original owner is the Mumbai Port Trust.
• The interchange loop has two lanes. One will branch out from MTHL and link the Eastern Freeway, while the other will connect to the Sewri-Worli Road and exit through the Grade Messant Road.
• The Coastal Road will intersect with the 4.25km long Sewri-Worli Road on the Worli Seaface, providing additional connectivity.
• The Sewri-Worli connector will also connect to the Bandra-Worli Sea Link and the Mumbai Trans Harbour Link. It will be a 4.5 km long cable bridge.
• The MMRDA also proposed receiving a toll for the Mumbai Trans Harbour Link, which will help recover the complete costs of the project by 2045. Here are the estimated toll rates for different vehicles:

Funding for MTHL Project

The entire project of the Trans Harbour Sea Link is worth Rs. 178.43 billion. Out of the total amount, 85% of funding was provided by JICA (Japan International Cooperation Agency).

 However, in 2017, JICA released the first funding payment of Rs. 79.1 billion. It is approximately 45% cost of the entire project. Additionally, the Indian Ministry of Finance sanctioned over Rs. 19.2 billion for the MTHL project.

Challenges in the Construction of Trans Harbor Link

Given below are the 3 main challenges of the massive Trans Harbour Link project: 

• The biggest challenge of the Trans Harbour Link is that its construction is taking place in the sea. This poses heavy risks for the numerous workers and engineers working daily onsite. The workers work for 24 hours in 3 different batches divided into 8 hours each.
• Another challenge of the MTHL project is the unpredictable weather conditions. Gusty coastal winds further add to the disadvantage. Because of this, workers are compelled to keep tabs on weather reports daily.
• Unforeseen cyclones are also an issue. It is said that the cyclones that hit the western coast around one and half years ago could have completely disheveled the construction site. Thankfully, because it was secured within a vessel no such harm was done. 

Companies Involved in Sewri Nhava Sheva Sea Link

The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) selected Larsen and Toubro and Japan’s IHI Corporation (a consortium between Daewoo and Tata Projects Limited) for this riveting infrastructure project. 

Larsen and Toubro (L&T) will primarily work on the construction of the following:

• Sewri side of the sea bridge.
• The Navi Mumbai side of the sea bridge.
• The bridge portion on land towards Chirle.

The agreement between the corporations was officially signed on 27th December 2017. Here is the table representing the package division between both the companies:

What are the Key Benefits of the Mumbai Trans Harbour Link Project?

The benefits of Mumbai Trans Harbour Sea Link are as follows: 

• Mumbai Trans Harbour Link will save a lot of traveling time.
• It will reduce the operational costs of vehicles as it heightens the growth of Navi Mumbai.
• The Trans Mumbai Link will also help relieve the environment from excessive fuel emission and pollution.
• The bridge will ensure less congestion and traffic.
• It will offer better connectivity between the MbPT and JNPT Ports.
• The Trans Harbour will also ease accessibility to Navi Mumbai Airport.
• It will connect Mumbai to both Pune Expressway and South Indian Expressway.
• This connectivity will also ensure rationalized prices of real estate properties in the Greater Mumbai area.
• It will help augment the economic integration of the city with Navi Mumbai along with extended regions of Goa, Panvel, and Alibag.

10 Interesting Facts about India’s Longest Sea Bridge

While the Trans Harbour Sea Link Project is claimed to be the future longest sea bridge in India, right now, this title is owned by the wonderful Bandra-Worli Sea Link. So, let’s get to know 10 amazing facts about this bridge.

• The construction of the bridge started in 2000 and was completed a decade later in 2010. It is one of the popular sea bridges in India.
• The Bandra-Worli Sea Link was constructed by the famous Hindustan Construction Company and was designed by architect Seshadri Srinivasan.
• The Bandra-Worli Sea Link was initially named after the former prime minister of India and was called the Rajiv Gandhi Sea Link. 
• The complete cost of the Sea Link is Rs. 16.5 billion (the US $250 million).
• On average, the bridge handles approximately 30,500 vehicles regularly.
• The height of the bridge is 126 meters or 413 feet, whereas its pylon towers go up to 128 meters or 420 feet. The width of the Sea Link is 66 ft. 
• The Bandra Worli Sea Link has reduced the travel between Bandra and Worli to just 6-8 minutes from what was formerly 60-90 minutes. 
• The initial cost of the project was Rs. 1306 crores, which increased to Rs. 1,650 crores over time.
• It took almost Rs. 9 crores to keep the bridge well-lit. The bridge consumes 1,000 KW power in a single day, enough to light up hundreds of households.
• The Bandra-Worli Sea Link was inaugurated by our UPA chairperson, Mrs. Sonia Gandhi on 30th June 2009.

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