SoBo, short for South Mumbai, is eagerly anticipating the opening of the Mumbai Trans Harbour Link (MTHL) on December 25, 2023. This long-awaited project is poised to revolutionize connectivity between Mumbai and Navi Mumbai, reducing travel time to just 20 minutes. Despite BJP leader Varun Puri’s announcement, the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) has yet to officially confirm the opening date.
The MTHL, often hailed as India’s “longest sea bridge,” spans six lanes and comes with a hefty price tag of over Rs 17,000 crore. The construction contract was awarded to Larsen and Toubro, along with Tata Projects. Approximately 16.5 km of the bridge extends over water, making it a landmark infrastructure project.
To facilitate the financial aspects of the MTHL, tolls will be collected using an Open Road Tolling (ORT) system until 2045, as outlined by the MMRDA. The bridge is anticipated to accommodate 70,000 vehicles daily, providing a more efficient and convenient transportation option between Sewri in Central Mumbai and Chirle in Navi Mumbai.
Beyond the immediate benefits for Mumbai and Navi Mumbai commuters, the MTHL is expected to yield long-term advantages, particularly in reducing travel time between Mumbai and Pune. The bridge is estimated to save approximately 90 minutes of travel time between key locations such as Lonavala, Khandala, and Mumbai, further enhancing regional connectivity.