Atal Setu highlights: 'This project shows India's infrastructural prowess,' says PM Modi in Navi Mumbai

Atal Setu LIVE updates: Prime Minister Narendra Modi posted images of the recently inaugurated Mumbai Trans Harbour Link (MTHL), also known as Atal Setu, in Maharashtra on X. The pictures captured him standing on the bridge, along with additional images featuring Maharashtra's chief minister and deputy chief ministers.

“Delighted to inaugurate Atal Setu, a significant step forward in enhancing the ‘Ease of Living’ for our citizens. This bridge promises to reduce travel time and boost connectivity, making daily commutes smoother,” Modi wrote on X.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday inaugurated Atal Setu, the longest sea bridge in the country connecting Mumbai and its satellite township Navi Mumbai, and sounded the bugle for the upcoming Lok Sabha polls, saying the fulfilment of this project was his guarantee.

Atal Setu LIVE updates: Maharashtra chief minister Eknath Shinde, asserted that a ‘political earthquake’ is on the horizon for the state following the imminent Lok Sabha elections. Shinde made these remarks during a public meeting in Navi Mumbai, held after the inauguration of the 'Atal Bihari Vajpayee Sewri-Nhava Sheva Atal Setu' by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. This bridge, the longest sea bridge in the country, links south Mumbai with Nhava-Sheva in Navi Mumbai.

Atal Setu LIVE updates: Prime Minister Narendra Modi, following the inauguration of multiple developmental projects in Navi Mumbai, addressed a public gathering.

“Atal Setu trans harbour link shows India's infrastructural prowess, march towards being a developed nation,” Modi said.

“In last 10 years, the country has seen its dreams turning into reality,” he added.

Atal Setu inauguration LIVE: Following the inauguration of Mumbai Trans Harbour Link (MTHL) or Atal Setu, PM Modi laid foundation stone of underground road tunnel connecting Eastern Freeway's Orange Gate to Marine Drive in Mumbai.

Atal Setu inauguration LIVE: Prime Minister Narendra Modi received a warm felicitation and a gift of an architectural model of Ayodhya's Ram Mandir from Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde before the commencement of the inauguration and foundation stone-laying ceremony for several developmental projects.

Atal Setu inauguration LIVE: Prime Minister Narendra Modi, accompanied by Maharashtra chief minister Eknath Shinde and Deputy chief ministers Devendra Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar, extends greetings to the gathered crowd at a public event. The occasion marks the inauguration and laying of the foundation stone for various development projects, collectively valued at over ₹12,700 crore, in Navi Mumbai, following the inauguration of Atal Setu.

Atal Setu inauguration LIVE: According to Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority commissioner Sanjay Mukherjee, 400 cameras are in place for surveillance, including thermal cameras designed to identify speeding cars in foggy conditions. The home department is set to issue a notification, delineating the jurisdiction of two police stations. Specifically, Sewri in Mumbai will have authority up to the initial 10.8 km, while the remaining area will fall under the jurisdiction of Uran in Navi Mumbai.

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi prayed at the Kalaram temple, dedicated to Lord Ram, in Nashik and participated in devotional activities such as 'bhajan' and 'kirtan,' and even played cymbals at the shrine.

• Currently on a daylong visit to Maharashtra, the PM conducted a roadshow in the city before reaching the temple, situated along the banks of the Godavari river in the Panchavati area.

• Modi's visit to the renowned Ram temple took place just 10 days before the grand consecration ceremony of the Ram temple in Ayodhya on January 22.

• Welcoming the PM on his arrival, Kalaram temple trustees, advocate Aniket Nikam, and Dhananjay Pujari, greeted him amid the echoing chants of 'Jai Shri Ram' from the crowd lining both sides of the road leading to the temple.

• At the temple, Modi performed the 'pujan' and 'aarti' of Lord Ganesh and Lord Ram, with Chief priest Mahant Sudhirdas Pujari overseeing the rituals.

• The prime minister engaged in the traditional act of 'pradakshina' (circumambulation) around the temple, participated in 'bhajan' and 'kirtan,' and played 'taal' (cymbals) alongside other devotees.

• Temple trustee members honored him with a shawl, citation, memento, a silver idol of Lord Ram, and photographs of the temple deities – Lord Ram, Sita, and Lakshman. Additionally, he received 'panjiri' (prasad) at the temple.

• Modi also listened to the epic narrative of the Ramayana, specifically the 'Yudh Kanda' segment depicting Lord Rama’s return to Ayodhya. This narrative was presented in Marathi, with the PM following the Hindi version through AI translation.

(With PTI inputs)

Atal Setu inauguration LIVE: Senior IAS officer Sanjay Khandare expressed his delight, describing it as a moment to cherish, as he led the Atal Setu project for four years. According to PTI, Khandare, a 1996 batch IAS officer from the Maharashtra cadre, served as the overseer of the ambitious project, previously referred to as Mumbai Trans Harbour Link. He held this responsibility for four years until February 2020 while serving as the then Additional Metropolitan Commissioner of Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA).

“This is a bridge not just of steel and concrete, but of possibilities. It unlocks new horizons for Mumbai and India, paving the way for economic growth and a brighter future,” Khandare, who is now Principal Secretary, Water Supply and Sanitation Department of the state government, was quoted as saying by PTI.

Atal Setu inauguration LIVE: The purpose behind the construction of the Mumbai Trans Harbour Link (MTHL), also known as Atal Setu, is to enhance connectivity within the Mumbai Metropolitan Region, encompassing the districts of Mumbai, Thane, Palghar, and Raigad. This initiative aims to stimulate economic development in the region.

By significantly reducing travel time, the MTHL will draw Mumbai and Navi Mumbai closer together and alleviate congestion on the current route that passes over the Vashi bridge.

It connects South Mumbai to Navi Mumbai and will reduce the current two-hour journey to just around 15-20 minutes.

Atal Setu inauguration LIVE: Prime Minister Narendra Modi shared a special message on his special anushthan ahead of 'pranpratishtha at the Ram Temple in Ayodhya.

"Only 11 days remain to the pranpratishtha of Ramlalla in Ayodhya. I am fortunate that I too will witness this holy occasion. God created me to represent all the citizens of India during pranpratishtha. Keeping this in mind, I am beginning an 11-day special anushthan from today...," Modi wrote on X.

Atal Setu inauguration LIVE: Prime Minister Narendra Modi officially opened the Atal Bihari Vajpayee Sewari - Nhava Sheva Atal Setu in Maharashtra on Friday. This bridge holds the distinction of being the longest in India and the lengthiest sea bridge in the country. Its purpose is to enhance connectivity, offering swifter access to both Mumbai International Airport and Navi Mumbai International Airport, while simultaneously cutting down travel times from Mumbai to Pune, Goa, and South India.

Atal Setu inauguration LIVE: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday embarked on a11-day religious practice leading up to the consecration ceremony at the Ram temple in Ayodhya on January 22, PTI reported. In an audio message, he shared his emotional state, saying, "I am emotional. I am overwhelmed with emotions. For the first time in life, I am experiencing such feelings," he said. He acknowledged the profound significance of witnessing the realisation of a dream that many generations carried in their hearts as a steadfast resolution.

Modi emphasised that the inner journey he is currently undergoing is something that can only be felt and not adequately expressed.

• Inaugurating the 27th National Youth Festival at Tapovan Ground in Nashik, Maharashtra today, the Prime Minister called upon the youth of India to embrace locally-made products while discouraging the use of drugs.

• Commending the youth for their potential to shape history, the Prime Minister encouraged them to participate in activities that would leave a lasting legacy for future generations.

• Expressing confidence in the youth's capacity to uplift the nation, PM Modi highlighted India's achievements, positioning it as the world's fifth-largest economy.

• Emphasising the tradition of prioritizing Yuvashakti (youth power), the Prime Minister, quoting Sri Aurobindo and Swami Vivekananda, attributed India's ascent to the top five global economies to the strength of its youth.

• Renewing his call for cleanliness initiatives, the Prime Minister urged citizens to engage in the cleaning of pilgrimage sites and temples nationwide, especially on the occasion of the 'Pran Pratishtha' day of Ram Lalla in Ayodhya on January 22.

Source: ANI

Atal Setu inauguration LIVE: Shree Kalaram Mandir is located in the Panchavati region of Nashik in Maharashtra, nestled along the banks of the Godavari. Panchavati holds a unique significance among the sites linked to the Ramayana, as it serves as the backdrop for numerous pivotal events in the epic.

In the Panchavati region, Lord Ram, Goddess Sita, and Lakshman spent a significant period in the Dandakaranya forest. This wooded area is integral to the Ramayana narrative.

(With ANI inputs)

Atal Setu inauguration LIVE: Ahead of the inauguration of Atal Setu in Maharashtra, Prime Minister Narendra Modi actively engaged in the Swachhata Abhiyan (cleanliness drive) at Shree Kalaram Temple in Nashik today. During the event, he renewed his call for citizens to undertake cleanliness initiatives at temples throughout the nation.

Atal Setu inauguration LIVE: Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi's planned visit to Kalaram Temple in Nashik, questioning the timing in light of Shiv Sena's announced plans.

Raut asserted that Modi's initial itinerary did not incorporate the temple visit, suggesting that it was added later, possibly influenced by Shiv Sena's declaration to visit on January 22.

“Narendra Modi is in Nashik today. His initial plans didn't include a Kalaram Temple visit. But as Shivsena has announced, we will do Pooja in Kalaram Temple on January 2. So they planned PM's visit to Kalaram Temple,” Raut said.

• Atal Setu, designed to enhance connectivity in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region encompassing Mumbai, Thane, Palghar, and Raigad, is set to significantly improve transportation efficiency.

• The travel duration between Sewri and Chirle will witness a substantial reduction from 61 minutes to under 20 minutes, marking a substantial improvement in commute times.

• The bridge promises expedited connectivity to both Mumbai International Airport and Navi Mumbai International Airport, streamlining travel not only to Pune, Goa, and South India but also fostering better linkage between Mumbai Port and Jawaharlal Nehru Port.

• To facilitate the use of the bridge, travellers will incur a one-way toll fee of ₹250, with charges for return trips and frequent commuters subject to variation.

• Toll rates may undergo revision after a year following a comprehensive review.

• The maximum speed limit for four-wheelers is capped at 100 km/hour, while two-wheelers, tractors, and autorickshaws are prohibited from accessing the bridge.

• The anticipated daily traffic across the bridge is estimated to reach nearly 70,000 vehicles, indicating its pivotal role in regional transportation.

Atal Setu inauguration LIVE: While addressing the Rashtriya Yuva Mahotsav in Nashik, PM Modi urged for a cleanliness drive to be carried out across temples in the country during the scheduled Ram Temple 'pran prathishtha' on January 22.

“I urge that on the occasion of pranpratishtha in the Ram Temple, a cleanliness campaign is carried out in all temples and shrines of the country... Our saints and sages have always considered the youth power as the most important one... The youth has to move forward with an independent mentality for India to reach its goals... India's hopes are dependent on the strong character of the youth of India,” Modi said.

At the 27th National Youth Festival in Nashik, PM Modi said that Yoga and Ayurveda have been accepted by the world today. He hailed the youth as the brand ambassadors of Yoga and Ayurveda. He also inspired them to use and popularise the consumption of millets.

Modi also motivated the youth to vote in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. He appealed them to contribute immensely to India's progress in the next 25 years- the period of Amrit Kaal.