ATAL
BRIDGE – GEOGRAPHY
News:
Atal Setu inauguration
Highlights: PM Modi inaugurates projects worth ₹12,700 crore
What's
in the news?
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The Mumbai Trans Harbour Link (MTHL) or
Atal Setu is the longest sea bridge in India is set to be inaugurated today by
PM Modi.
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The bridge has been named after former
prime minister and late BJP veteran Atal Bihari Vajpayee.
Uniqueness
of Atal Setu:
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It is the longest bridge and also the longest sea bridge in India.
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It will provide faster connectivity to
Mumbai International Airport and Navi Mumbai International Airport.
Features:
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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.
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Potential:
It
is expected to ferry almost 70,000 vehicles daily on completion and have a life
of 100 years.
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Faster
Connectivity: It will provide faster connectivity to
Mumbai International Airport and Navi Mumbai International Airport.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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The saving in fuel cost would be around
₹500 per journey.
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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
Bridges in India:
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Bhupen
Hazarika Setu on River Brahmaputra in Assam.
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Dibang
river bridge on River Dibang in Arunachal Pradesh.
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Mahatma
Gandhi Setu on River Ganges in Bihar.
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Bandra
Worli sea link on Mahim Bay in Maharashtra.
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Bogibeel
bridge on River Brahmaputra in Assam