Mumbai’s first public transport bus service operating on India’s longest sea link — the Mumbai Trans Harbour Link (MTHL) or the Atal Setu – has begun operations from today. The Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) has launched a bus route, S-145, in sync with the Chalo app, which will provide faster and cheaper connectivity between Mumbai and Navi Mumbai.
The route S-145 bus will travel between Konkan Bhavan, Belapur to the World Trade Centre via the Atal Setu. It will run via Sai Sangam-Targhar-Ulwe node-Aai Tarumata-Kamdhenu Oaklands-MTHL-Eastern Freeway-CSMT-Churchgate station and end at Cuffe Parade. The bus service will operate at a frequency of 15 minutes during peak hours and 30 minutes during non-peak hours. The fare for the entire journey will be Rs 100, which is much lower than the toll charges for private vehicles on the MTHL.
The MTHL, also known as Atal Setu, was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on January 12, 2024. The six-lane trans-harbour bridge is 21.8km long with a 16.5km long sea-link. The bridge has reduced the travel time between Mumbai and Navi Mumbai from over an hour to just 20 minutes. It has also improved the connectivity to the upcoming Navi Mumbai International Airport, the Mumbai-Goa highway, the Mumbai-Pune expressway, and the Jawaharlal Nehru Port.
The MTHL is equipped with several innovative technologies, such as earthquake-resistant design, steel deck, reverse circulation rigs, noise reduction measures, eco-friendly lighting, open road tolling system, and real-time traffic information displays. The bridge is a testament to India’s growing engineering prowess and is expected to boost the economic and social development of the region.
The BEST has also planned to introduce more bus routes on the MTHL in the near future, catering to the increasing demand of commuters. The MTHL bus service is a boon for the residents of Mumbai and Navi Mumbai, who can now enjoy a smooth, safe, and affordable ride across the sea.
