In a recent decision, the Maharashtra cabinet approved a toll of ₹250 for a single trip for cars on the Mumbai Trans Harbour Link (MTHL), also known as Atal Setu, India’s longest sea bridge. The 21.8-kilometer-long MHTL bridge is set to be inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on January 12.
The bridge will connect Sewri in Mumbai to Nhava Sheva in Raigad district, significantly reducing the travel time from the current two hours to approximately 15-20 minutes, according to a report by news agency PTI.
Initially, the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) had proposed a toll of ₹500 for a single trip, but the Urban Development Department (UDD) intervened and reduced it to ₹350 per car. After further deliberation, the state cabinet finalized the toll at ₹250 for a single trip.
The wall is proposed to be in effect for 30 years, from 2024 to 2053. The Cabinet note stated, “… The changed fare should be fixed for the first five years, and studying the traffic and financial flow, the further toll can be finalized,” as reported by Indian Express.
In addition to this development, the Maharashtra cabinet also approved a proposal offering an option to avail the Old Pension Scheme (OPS) for state government employees who joined the service after November 2005. Vishwas Katkar, the general secretary of the Maharashtra state employees’ Confederation, mentioned that this decision would benefit around 26,000 state government employees who were selected before November 2005 but received their joining letters later.
The Old Pension Scheme allows employees to enjoy benefits similar to the 9.5 lakh state employees who joined the service before November 2005 and are already covered by OPS. Under the New Pension Scheme (NPS), state government employees contribute 10 percent of their basic salary plus dearness allowance, with the state making a matching contribution. The funds are then invested in Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA)-approved pension funds, and the return are market-linked.