"Atal Setu an engineering marvel": Maharashtra Dy CM Fadnavis on India's longest sea bridge

"This Atal Bihari Vajpayee Sewri-Nhava Sheva Atal Setu, the longest bridge sea bridge in the country is an engineering marvel," said the Deputy Chief Minister.

Speaking to a gathering at Nashik, the Deputy Chief Minister said, "I am really appreciative and happy that the Atal Setu has been inaugurated by honourable Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The Prime Minister had also carried out the 'bhoomipoojan' ritual for the bridge and now he is inaugurating it."

"The Atal Sea Bridge became possible because of Prime Minister Modi's governance in the country. If Modi Raaj had not come then the Atal Setu project would never have been possible," he said.

The conception and planning of the Atal Setu Mumbai Trans Harbour Link (MTHL) began in 1971. GRD Tata committee fixed its alignment in 1982 but the project could not be carried forward for another 40 years.

"Then came Modiji, after he became the Prime Minister, he changed the mood of the country, and changed the way of work. With his blessings, things started running ahead here as well," he added.

PM Modi's government gave us all the environmental clearances in a limited timeframe, under the directions and orders of the Prime Minister all the clearances were granted immediately.

Talking about the flamingo sanctuary in the state, the deputy chief minister said, "Many people raised questions about the flamingo sanctuary here, and that what will happen to it? Thus, we did its mitigation measures through the Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS) and today the number of flamingos has increased in the state and is not decreasing."

Additionally, PM Modi solved a big question that lay in front of us. This was regarding the debts that were being provided to us through the government of Japan.

The debts we were being given by the Japanese government would have put us in a huge debt if we had strained our state budget. It would also have reduced our ability to carry out infrastructural work in rural areas.

"We requested PM Modi to break the debt ritual from the Japanese government and appealed to him to provide us with a direct loan to our MMRD. PM Modiji, while deciding on the cabinet for the first time in the country, provided this loan to MMRD, which kicked off the work of our MTHL," he said.

"Today this Atal Bihari Vajpayee Sewri-Nhava Sheva Atal Setu, the longest bridge sea bridge in the country is an engineering marvel," he added.

He added, "I am also happy that the Mumbai and MMR region together are getting their very own ring road, one loop road."

Adding to his words the deputy chief minister attributed PM Modi and said, "Prime Minister Modi ji had a vision in 2019, that any person in Mumbai should reach any place in the state within an hour."

"I want to say that looking at the current scenario, the metro network and road networks are being prepared in such a way that we will be able to fulfil this dream in 3-4 years. And for this, I want to express heartfelt gratitude to you honourable Prime Minister Modi," said the Deputy Chief Minister.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Atal Bihari Vajpayee Sewari-Nhava Sheva Atal Setu, India's longest bridge, in Maharashtra on Friday.

Maharashtra Governor Ramesh Bais, Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis were also present on the occasion.

It will provide faster connectivity to Mumbai International Airport and Navi Mumbai International Airport and will also reduce travel time from Mumbai to Pune, Goa and South India.

The foundation stone of the bridge was also laid by the Prime Minister in December 2016.

Atal Setu has been constructed at a total cost of more than Rs 17,840 crore.

It is a 21.8-kilometer-long, 6-lane bridge with about 16.5 km of length over sea and about 5.5 km of length on land.

It will also improve connectivity between Mumbai Port and Jawaharlal Nehru Port.

Earlier today, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on the occasion of National Youth Day, emphasised the significance of India's youth power, which is leading the country's development in every field.

Inaugurating the 27th National Youth Festival at Tapovan Ground in Maharashtra's Nashik today, the Prime Minister urged the youth of India to use local products and avoid drugs. (ANI)