Mumbai Trans-Harbour Link Bridge (MTHL): Launch Date, Toll Charges, Distance & More

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate India's longest sea bridge Mumbai Trans-Harbour Link Bridge Link (MTHL) on January 12.

It was supposed to open for traffic in November 2023, but got delayed for some reasons. Once the inauguration, this will reduce between Sewri in Central Mumbai and Chirle in Navi Mumbai to 15-20 minutes.

Distance & Cost

The MTHL is a six-lane 22-kilometre bridge which is said to be the longest sea bridge in India. 16.5 kilometres of the bridge length is over water while the rest is over land. The cost of the project is over Rs 17,000 crore.

One major benefit of this bridge would be that soon it would reduce the travel time between Mumbai and Pune by 90 minutes. The project is expected to cut down travel time between Lonavla, Khandala and Mumbai by 90 minutes.

Toll Charges

As reported by the Indian Express, the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) initially set the toll for a single trip at Rs500. This had faced a backlash from a section of people. However, the Urban Development Department (UDD) subsequently reduced it to Rs 350 per car. Following extensive discussions, the state cabinet ultimately established the toll at Rs 250 for a single trip.

In addition to cars, mini-buses will incur a charge of Rs 560, bus/2-axle trucks Rs 1,180, 3-axle trucks Rs 1,290, 4-6 axle vehicles Rs 1,850, and oversized vehicles Rs 2,250.

"... The toll is proposed for 30 years, from 2024 to 2053. The changed fare should be fixed for the first five years and studying the traffic and financial flow, the further toll can be finalized," the daily quoted the Cabinet note as saying.

As per the note, the government will increase the toll charges by six per cent every year. It means people have to shell out Rs 15 extra (Rs 265 per side for cars) from 2025.