Context: Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Atal Bihari Vajpayee Sewri-Nhava Sheva Atal Setu in Maharashtra. 

About Atal Setu

Atal Setu is the longest bridge and also the longest sea bridge in India. It is the 12th longest sea bridge in the world.

• Budget Outlay: Built at a cost of about ₹17,840 crore.
• Ease of Mobility: Earlier known as Mumbai Transharbour Link (MTHL), Atal setu is envision to improve the ‘ease of mobility’ of citizens by strengthening urban transport infrastructure and connectivity. 
• The foundation stone of the bridge was laid by the prime minister in December 2016.

Features of Atal Setu

It is the longest bridge and also the longest sea bridge in India. It will provide faster connectivity to Mumbai International Airport and Navi Mumbai International Airport.

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• Dimension of Setu: It is a 21.8-km long six-lane bridge having 16.5 km length over the sea and about 5.5 km on the land. 
• Potential: It is expected to ferry almost 70,000 vehicles daily on completion and have a life of 100 years.
• Faster Connectivity: It will provide faster connectivity to Mumbai International Airport and Navi Mumbai International Airport.
• All Weather Technology: It has specially-designed lighting poles to withstand high-velocity winds during monsoons and is also equipped with a Lightning Protection System to safeguard against potential damage caused by lightning.
• Environmental Sustainability: From Sewri, an 8.5-km noise barrier has been installed since the portion of the bridge passes through a flamingo protected area and Bhabha Atomic Research Centre.
• Commuter Aid: It will reduce the travel time from Mumbai to Pune, Goa and South India. 
  • Distance between Panvel in Raigad district to Sewri in south-central Mumbai will be reduced by 15 kilometres, while travel time will come down from around two hours to 15 to 20 minutes.
  • The saving in fuel cost would be around ₹500 per journey, 
• Toll: The Maharashtra government has cleared a proposal to charge ₹250 as a one-way toll for cars on the Setu.
  • Only half the amount, as per existing rules of toll collection is being charged.

Other Projects Inauguration by Prime Minister

At Navi Mumbai, the prime minister will unveil development projects worth more than ₹12,700 crore.

• Underground Road Tunnel: PM Modi will lay the foundation stone of the underground road tunnel connecting Eastern Freeway’s Orange Gate to Marine Drive.
  • The 9.2-km tunnel will be built at a cost of more than ₹8,700 crore and will be a significant infrastructure development in Mumbai that will reduce travel time between Orange Gate and Marine Drive.
• Railway Projects: Prime Minister will dedicate railway projects worth ₹2,000 crore to the nation. 
  • Phase 2 of Uran-Kharkopar railway line: It will enhance connectivity to Navi Mumbai as suburban services running between Nerul/Belapur to Kharkopar will now be extended to Uran. 
  • PM Modi will flag off the inaugural run of the EMU train from Uran railway station to Kharkopar.
• Bharat Ratnam for Gems & Jewelley: Prime Minister will inaugurate Bharat Ratnam for Gems and Jewellery sector at Santacruz Electronic Export Processing Zone- Special Economic Zone,  which is the first of its kind in India with the best available machines in the world including 3D Metal printing.
• Namo Mahila Shashaktikaran Abhiyaan: It aims to empower women in Maharashtra by providing skill development training and exposure to entrepreneurship development.