Auto Rickshaw on Atal Setu? Viral Pic Shows 'Non-permissible Vehicle' on Mumbai Trans Harbour Link

Just after images and videos emerged on social media depicting individuals halting their vehicles, capturing selfies and photos on a section marked with a speed limit of 100 kmph, and simultaneously littering on the bridge, transforming the recently inaugurated bridge into a picnic spot, new images of an auto-rickshaw spotted on the bridge have surfaced on the internet. This development has garnered significant criticism, especially considering the prevailing disregard for rules and regulations on the Mumbai Trans Harbour Link (MTHL).

“Wow. They finally made it. Fast moving vehicle category!!” remarked one user. Another questioned, “How did it make it till here? There is a toll booth on Chirle and Ulwe side and for the Mumbai side, it starts in SoBo where Autos are just not allowed any way.” A third user humourously inquired, “@MumbaiPolice @CPMumbaiPolice is two wheelers also allowed at Atal Setu?”

For those unfamiliar, auto-rickshaws are prohibited on the MTHL, spanning from Sewri in Mumbai to Nhava Sheva in Raigad district, inaugurated just the previous Friday.

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According to additional information from the Mumbai Traffic Police’s official handle, “Entry of the following vehicles: Motor Cycle, Moped, 3 Wheeler Tempo, Auto Rickshaw, Tractor, Tractor with unladen trolley, Animal Drawn Vehicles & Slow Moving Vehicle will not be allowed on MTHL.”

It’s worth noting that the trans harbour link stands as India’s longest sea bridge, promising to reduce the travel time between the two points from the current hour and a half to around 20 minutes. Constructed at a cost of Rs. 17,840 crore, the Mumbai Trans Harbour Link (MTHL) features six lanes, with 16.5 km of the bridge’s span extending over the sea.

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However, witnessing such violations mere hours after the bridge’s public opening, and now with non-permissible vehicles finding their way onto MTHL, one can only hope for more stringent enforcement to ensure optimal public benefits from the infrastructure.

On a brighter front, reports state that Navi Mumbai police has booked over 144 motorists who obstructed traffic and parked on Atal Setu under the Motor Vehicle Act.