Atal Setu Records Lower Traffic Than Expected in Its First Year of Operation
Atal Setu Sees Lower-Than-Expected Traffic in Its First Year of Operation
Atal Setu, India’s longest sea bridge, connecting Sewri in Mumbai to Chirle in Navi Mumbai, marked its one-year anniversary on January 12, 2025. The bridge was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2024, and while it has transformed regional connectivity, the traffic numbers have fallen short of initial expectations.
The Atal Bihari Vajpayee Sewri-Nhava Sheva Atal Setu, a crucial infrastructure project for Maharashtra, spans nearly 22 kilometres, with 16.5 km over the sea and 5.5 km on land. Initially, the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) had projected that the bridge would handle around 56,000 vehicles daily. However, in its first year, the bridge has only recorded an average of 22,689 vehicles per day, significantly below these early estimates. Despite the lower-than-expected traffic, the bridge has still proven to be an essential addition to the region’s infrastructure, contributing greatly to smoother and faster transit between Mumbai and Navi Mumbai. Over the past year, a total of 83,06,009 vehicles have used the bridge, which has been a key factor in reducing travel time and improving connectivity between major hubs in the region. On its highest traffic day, January 14, 2024, the bridge witnessed 61,807 vehicles, just after its opening to the public.
The Atal Setu, which cost approximately Rs 17,840 crore to build, has not only reduced the time required for inter-city travel but also provided much-needed relief to commuters. The bridge connects key locations, including the Mumbai International Airport and the soon-to-be-operational Navi Mumbai International Airport, which is expected to further boost its traffic once fully operational. The Atal Setu bridge has also enhanced the region’s safety and operational efficiency with its cutting-edge infrastructure, including real-time traffic monitoring and emergency systems. Designed to handle a larger volume of vehicles in the future, it is expected that the traffic will gradually increase as surrounding infrastructure improves, further integrating Mumbai and Navi Mumbai, and driving regional economic growth.
The six-lane bridge also plays a significant role in reducing travel time to destinations such as Pune, Goa, and South India, thus facilitating better connectivity for both passengers and freight. This is expected to drive further economic and social development in the region. In addition, the bridge has improved access to the Mumbai Port and Jawaharlal Nehru Port, which are crucial for trade and commerce in the country. In a statement, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis praised the Atal Setu for its transformative impact on the region. He highlighted that the bridge has served over 8 million vehicles in just one year, benefiting the economic and social landscape of the surrounding areas.
To ensure the safety and smooth operation of the bridge, the MMRDA has implemented advanced traffic management and emergency response systems. The bridge is equipped with an Advanced Traffic Management System (ATMS), which is supported by Fire-Rescue Vehicles (FRVs), maintenance teams, and patrolling units that work 24/7 to monitor traffic and handle incidents quickly. These systems have helped maintain high safety standards and ensure efficient handling of any disruptions. While the traffic numbers in the first year have not met initial expectations, the Atal Setu has still proven to be a crucial infrastructural development, dramatically improving the flow of vehicles between two of Maharashtra’s most important cities. As more infrastructure projects continue to develop around it, the bridge’s usage is expected to grow, with significant long-term benefits for the region’s connectivity and economy.
