India's Longest Sea Bridge Faces Rs 500 Usage Fee Hike

28 Nov 2023 CW Team

In a development stirring public interest, the fee for utilising India's longest sea bridge, Mumbai Trans-Harbour Sealink (MTHL) is on the verge of a substantial hike, potentially reaching Rs 500. The proposed increase has sparked concerns among commuters and residents alike, fueling discussions about the economic implications and accessibility of this critical infrastructure.

The impending surge in usage fees has ignited debates about its potential impact on the affordability and convenience of travel for the public. As discussions unfold, authorities are under scrutiny to justify the proposed hike and address public apprehensions surrounding the increased financial burden on commuters. The bridge, a key component of the region's transportation network, plays a pivotal role in connecting areas and facilitating smoother transit, making any adjustment in fees a matter of significant public interest.

Residents and commuters are closely watching developments, seeking clarity on how the increased fee aligns with the bridge's maintenance costs and the overall transportation budget. The potential Rs 500 usage fee marks a notable shift and raises questions about the balance between ensuring infrastructure sustainability and keeping essential services financially accessible to the public. As the debate unfolds, the decision's broader implications on the region's economic landscape and daily commuting dynamics remain central to ongoing discussions.

Infrastructure Transport

15 Sep 2025

Cabinet Approves Key Highway and Rail Projects in Bihar Region

The Union Cabinet on Wednesday approved the four-laning of the 84.2-km Mokama-Munger section of the Buxar-Bhagalpur high-speed corridor, a key industrial region in poll-bound Bihar. The Cabinet also sanctioned the doubling of the 177-km Bhagalpur-Dumka-Rampurhat railway line, which passes through Bihar, Jharkhand, and West Bengal, at a cost of Rs 31.7 billion.The Rs 44.5 billion highway project will be constructed under the hybrid annuity model, a variant of public-private partnership. The Mokama-Munger stretch was the only remaining two-lane section of the 363-km Buxar-Bhagalpur corridor. Fou..

NGT Issues Notice on Bengaluru Twin Tunnel Project

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) on Wednesday issued notices in response to a petition filed by Bengaluru Praja Vedike and others, challenging the Bengaluru twin tunnel road project. Petitioners claim the project was “hastily announced” and bypassed mandatory environmental impact assessment procedures.Notices have been served to the Karnataka Government, Greater Bengaluru Authority, State Environment Impact Assessment Authority (SEIAA), Bengaluru Smart Infrastructure Ltd (B-SMILE), the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, and project consultants.The 16.74-km twin-tube..

India’s Residential Sales to Dip Slightly in FY26

Residential sales in India’s seven major cities are projected to decline by up to 3 per cent year-on-year in FY26 to 620–640 million square feet (msf), amid a moderation in sales velocity, according to ratings agency Icra.In FY25, sales stood at 643 msf, down 8 per cent YoY, following a sharp contraction in new launches and moderated demand in the affordable and mid-income segments. This slowdown came after the sector posted a robust compound annual growth rate of 26 per cent in area sales between FY22 and FY24.Icra noted: “Having seen a strong upcycle, the sector entered an equilibrium ..