The Mumbai Trans Harbour Link (Atal Setu), developed by Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority, is currently experiencing lower-than-expected traffic, highlighting a gap between projected and actual usage. Opened in January 2024, the bridge was expected to carry around 40,000 vehicles per day in its initial phase, but current numbers have fallen short, impacting toll revenue. Daily collections are estimated to be about 30% below projections, reflecting reduced commuter adoption.
A major factor behind this trend is the relatively high toll cost, with car users paying around INR 250 for a one-way trip, prompting many commuters to opt for alternative routes despite longer travel times. Although the 22-km sea bridge was designed to significantly improve connectivity between Mumbai and Navi Mumbai and handle heavy traffic volumes, it has not yet achieved those targets.
To address the shortfall, authorities are exploring ways to increase usage and generate additional revenue, including options such as advertising and leasing infrastructure like fiber-optic networks along the corridor. Overall, while Atal Setu stands as a landmark infrastructure project, it is still working toward meeting its traffic and revenue expectations.