Day after opening, Mumbai Trans Harbour Link trend putting lives at risk

Motorists stopping on the Mumbai Trans Harbour Link (MTHL), blocking its vehicle bay to click pictures and selfies, has become a serious issue. On Saturday, the MMRDA released images captured by the bridge's CCTV cameras and appealed to people not to stop on the MTHL. The bridge was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on January 12. On Sunday, this reporter travelled on the MTHL and found that the longest sea bridge in the country has become a selfie point for the majority of motorists.

During the journey from Sewri towards Chirle, it was observed that on the Navi Mumbai-Belapur side, many motorists are parking their cars on the side of the MTHL to take pictures and selfies. Similarly, while coming back from Chirle towards Sewri, we noticed that many people were parking their cars on MTHL to take pictures. All this is happening along the section of MTHL where the view cutters and noise barriers are absent. What is worrisome is the fact that vehicles are travelling on MTHL at very high speeds, and the parked vehicles for the purpose of taking pictures can result in serious accidents.

An X account, IdiotsRoads, tweeted, "There should've been the strictest protocol, and each one of these guys should've been fined. But it looks like the day isn't far when bikers and autos will drive on the wrong side on #MTHL." On Saturday, MMRDA tweeted, "MMRDA announces with immense pride that the Atal Bihari Vajpayee Sewri-Nhava Sheva Atal Setu is now open for use! Experience the joy of driving on India's longest sea bridge. Speed Limit: 100 km/h for four-wheelers. 'For your safety, we advise against stopping on the bridge for selfies. Drive responsibly and enjoy the journey'."

A two-wheeler rider with a pillion riding on the wrong side was also spotted. We also noticed that there were no traffic police constables present at the start of MTHL on the Sewri side or seen patrolling on MTHL to take action against those stopping their vehicles to take selfies and click pictures. A video of people using the ladder to go from one side of the bridge median to the adjacent ramp also went viral, highlighting the fact that someone can fall and injure themselves.

Transport expert Jitendra Gupta said, "Traffic police officials should start patrolling on MTHL. If authorities were aware of the issue and the spot where there are problems, why haven't they kept traffic police to prevent the nuisance? They should also put up signboards informing motorists that they will have to pay a heavy fine if they stop on MTHL."

100KM/H
Speed limit on the bridge

Jan 13
Day bridge was inaugurated