Traffic on Mumbai’s Atal Setu, also known as the Atal Bihari Vajpayee Sewri-Nhava Sheva Atal Setu, has significantly decreased as a result of the Maharashtra government’s toll waiver program. Traffic on the 21.8-kilometer sea bridge seems to have been affected by the decision to remove the Rs 45 toll at five Mumbai entry ports, which was made before state assembly elections.
Vehicle traffic on the Atal Setu bridge has been steadily declining, according to data from the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA). The number of cars that crossed the bridge decreased from 7,14,213 in September 2024 to 7,07,104 in October 2024. The number decreased even more to 6,67,803 automobiles by November 2024.
Toll-paying traffic has also decreased, going from 23,807 per day in September to 22,809 per month in October and 22,260 per month in November. Although the October and November Diwali season accounts for a portion of this decline, MMRDA officials recognise that the toll waiver has contributed to a decrease in bridge utilisation.
The Atal Setu has handled more than 5 million vehicles between January and August since Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated it on January 12, 2024. Traffic peaked at 520,652 vehicles in January, the first month of operation, with an average of 27,403 vehicles each day. The bridge is still a vital route that cuts down on travel time between Mumbai and Navi Mumbai, even with the drop in traffic. It has competition from other toll roads, including the Mankhurd-Vashi, Mulund-Airoli, and Mulund-Thane highways.
The Atal Setu, which was built for INR 17,843 crore, is a crucial component of Mumbai’s infrastructure. However, there are concerns over the toll waiver policy’s financial viability given that it was put into place right before the elections. The long-term effects of lower toll income on funding for maintenance and traffic control are still unknown.
Although the government’s move has provided commuters, especially those who own light vehicles, with financial relief, more research is required to determine how this policy will affect the bridge’s function in Mumbai’s traffic ecosystem.
Source: Pune Pulse