Government sources have revealed that over 3 lakh vehicles have used the Mumbai Trans Harbour Link (MTHL) after the toll rates were revised on January 17 for the relatively shorter Sewri to Ulwe stretch. The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) reduced the toll to Rs 200 for those who use the Ulwe to Sewri stretch.
- Price for return journey for Sewri-Ulwe stretch is Rs 300
- Toll prices down 20 percent compared to Sewri-Chirle stretch
The new rates for the Ulwe-Sewri stretch will be in effect for one year. Our sister publication Autocar Professional spoke to MMRDA authorities, who said that users disembarking from the Mumbai-Pune Expressway prefer to use the sea bridge to reach Mumbai. Those commuting to Navi Mumbai from Sewri are also finding the bridge a respite from the heavy traffic jams, which used to take as much as 2.5 hours in peak traffic.
However, toll charges from Sewri to Chirle, which is the full length of the Atal Bihari Vajpayee Sewri-Nhava Sheva Atal Setu, is unchanged at Rs 250. Those who only use the shorter, more popular stretch will see a 20 percent drop in their tolls, whether they opt for a return journey, a daily pass or a monthly pass.
The bridge, built at a cost of USD 2.2 billion (about Rs 18,292 crore), has also seen an increase in usage not only from passenger car owners, but also from transportation and logistics operators. India's longest sea bridge, the 21.8km MTHL, has cut the journey time from Navi Mumbai to Mumbai to a mere 20 minutes. It was opened to the public by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on January 12, 2024.
Hormazd Sorabjee
Anurag Chaturvedi
