PM to open MTHL today; Sewri-Ulwe toll now Rs 200

Source: The Times of India

MUMBAI: On the eve of the inauguration of the much-awaited Atal Setu, the Mumbai Trans Harbour Link (MTHL), by PM Narendra Modi Friday evening, the toll for passenger vehicles for the Sewri-Shivaji Nagar (Ulwe) stretch has been fixed at Rs 200 and Rs 50 for the 2.5km Shivaji Nagar-Gavhan stretch against the earlier announcement of Rs 250 for the entire stretch, without any split. 

The toll for a return trip will be 1.5 times the one-way charge. The 21.8km sea bridge will be opened to commuters on Saturday morning.

The PM will inaugurate MTHL by travelling on the sea bridge from INS Shikra in Colaba till Navi Mumbai. 

He will also lay the foundation for the underground road tunnel connecting Eastern Freeway's Orange Gate with Marine Drive. The 9.2km tunnel, to be built at a cost of more than Rs 8,700 crore, will reduce travel time between the two points to 10 minutes from 30-40 now.

PM Narendra Modi will inaugurate MTHL around 3.30pm Friday by travelling on the sea bridge from INS Shikra in Colaba till Navi Mumbai near the upcoming airport site. In Navi Mumbai, the PM will address a public meeting where he will dedicate three other infrastructure projects and lay the foundation stone for one more.

He will also flag off Phase 2 of the Kharkopar-Uran line and open the Digha Gaon station on the trans-harbour route. Ahead of its inauguration, the state government came out with a gazette notification on January 10 for MTHL toll for all passenger cars, buses and multi-axle vehicles. 

Toll rates have been fixed for three stretches—Sewri-Gavhan (Chirle), Sewri-Shivaji Nagar (Ulwe) and Shivaji Nagar-Gavhan. The notification states the toll rates will come into effect for a period between January 13 and December 31, 2024. 

The toll for a return trip has been fixed as 1.5 times the one-way fare. A monthly pass will be 50 times the one-way fare. For Sewri-Gavhan, the return trip for passenger cars will cost Rs 375; a daily pass will be issued at Rs 625 and monthly for Rs 12,500. 

For Sewri-Shivaji Nagar, the return trip for passenger cars will be Rs 300, daily pass Rs 500 and monthly pass Rs 10,000. The interchange at Jasai will be opened later as work on the ramp is held up due to construction activity by National Highway Authority of India (NHAI). 

On Thursday, the PM posted on X: “I look forward to being among the people of Maharashtra tomorrow, 12th January, which is also the Jayanti of Jija Mata and Swami Vivekananda. In Nashik, I will pray at the Shree Kalaram Mandir and attend the National Youth Festival. 

Thereafter, I will go to Mumbai from where I will travel to Navi Mumbai on the Atal Bihari Vajpayee Sewri-Nhava Sheva Atal Setu, a major infrastructure project for people in Mumbai and surrounding areas. Various other development works will also be inaugurated at a public meeting in Navi Mumbai.” 

The PM will dedicate Phase 1 of the Surya regional bulk drinking water project in Palghar to the nation. The project will provide drinking water supply to 14 lakh people in Palghar and Thane districts. The PM will dedicate around Rs 2,000 crore worth railway projects to the nation too. 

These include Phase 2 of the Kharkopar-Uran railway line which will enhance connectivity to Navi Mumbai, the new suburban station of Digha Gaon and the new sixth line between Khar Road and Goregaon. The PM will inaugurate Bharat Ratnam, a mega common facilitation centre for gems and jewellery at SEEPZ SEZ.