'Atal Setu', India's longest sea bridge, was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in January 2024 in

The correct answer is Mumbai.

Key Points

•  Atal Setu', India's longest sea bridge, was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in January 2024 in Maharashtra.
• The full name of Atal Setu is the Atal Bihari Vajpayee Sewri–Nhava Sheva Atal Setu, also known as the Mumbai Trans Harbour Link (MTHL).
• The bridge connects Mumbai with Navi Mumbai, its satellite city, across the Mumbai Harbour.
• Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the 21.8-kilometer-long bridge on January 12, 2024.
• Approximately 16.5 kilometers of the bridge stretch over the sea, making it India's longest sea bridge.
• The remaining 5.5 kilometers are viaducts on land at both ends of the sea link.
• The construction of this six-lane grade-separated expressway bridge began in April 2018.
• The project aimed to reduce the travel time between South Mumbai and Navi Mumbai from about two hours to just 15-20 minutes.
• Atal Setu is expected to handle around 70,000 vehicles per day, significantly improving connectivity and reducing traffic congestion.
• The bridge is linked to the Mumbai-Pune Expressway in the east and is planned to connect to the Coastal Road in the west.
• The construction of Atal Setu involved the use of a substantial amount of steel and concrete.
• Notably, it features orthotropic steel deck spans for the first time in India, allowing for longer spans without supporting pillars in the water.
• The sea bridge also incorporates advanced traffic management systems, including the ability to detect fog and speeding vehicles.
• Noise and vision barriers have been installed along the bridge to minimize impact on marine life and the surrounding environment.
• The project was primarily funded by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).
• The foundation stone for the project was laid by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in December 2016.
• The inauguration of Atal Setu is considered a significant step in improving infrastructure and promoting economic growth in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region.
• Certain types of vehicles, such as motorcycles, auto-rickshaws, and tractors, are not permitted on the sea bridge for safety reasons.
• The bridge is expected to boost economic integration between Mumbai and Navi Mumbai, benefiting areas like Panvel, Alibaug, Pune, and Goa.
• The reduction in travel time is also anticipated to lead to fuel savings for commuters.
• Atal Setu stands as an engineering marvel and a testament to India's infrastructure development capabilities.