MUMBAI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to inaugurate the Mumbai Trans Harbour Link (MTHL), also known as Atal Setu, on Friday. This impressive sea bridge, stretching 21.8 kilometers with six lanes, is the longest in India. It honors the late BJP veteran and former prime minister, Atal Bihari Vajpayee. The construction cost of this monumental project amounts to Rs.18,000 crore. To build Atal Setu, a staggering 177,903 metric tonnes of steel were used, equivalent to the weight of 500 Boeing airplanes and 17 times the weight of the Eiffel Tower. Connecting Sewri in Mumbai to Nhava Sheva in Uran taluka, Raigad district, Atal Setu drastically reduces the travel time between Mumbai and Navi Mumbai from 2 hours to just 20 minutes. This is expected to spur economic development in Navi Mumbai and neighboring areas, while also addressing the long-standing issue of traffic congestion in the region. Furthermore, the bridge will significantly shorten the distance between Mumbai and the Pune Expressway, providing a crucial link to the under-construction Navi Mumbai International Airport. Anticipated to be frequented by 70,000 vehicles daily, Atal Setu promises to be a game-changer in enhancing connectivity and reducing travel time in the bustling Mumbai metropolitan region. PM Modi Begins 11-Day Rituals Ahead of Ram Temple Event, Here's Why Grand Celebration at Ayodhya: 100 Chartered Planes Expected for Ram Mandir Event PM Modi to Launch Mega Infrastructure Boost in Maharashtra Tomorrow