Atal Setu is not a picnic spot, you will be booked for taking selfies there, warns Mumbai police

The Atal Setu, the country's longest sea bridge inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on January 12, has seen nearly 80,000 vehicles pass through since its opening to the public on Saturday. However, the excitement of some motorists has raised concerns among netizens. People have been observed taking selfies, stopping on the bridge to enjoy the view, and even venturing into restricted areas, which could be dangerous. Social media platforms have been flooded with photographs, videos, and reels capturing these activities.

Late Monday evening, the Mumbai police issued a warning on social media platform X, stating that it is illegal to stop on the Atal Setu and take photos. They emphasized that those who violate this rule will face legal consequences.



Over the weekend, the traffic departments in Mumbai and Navi Mumbai took strict measures against 264 drivers who had stopped their vehicles and caused traffic disruptions on the Mumbai Trans Harbour Link (MTHL), also known as Atal Setu.

At the Mumbai end of the bridge, the Sewri traffic division penalized 120 motorists, while the Navi Mumbai Traffic division issued e-challans to 144 drivers at Nhava Sheva and Uran.

After the inauguration of Atal Setu, videos depicting motorists taking selfies garnered widespread attention on social media.

According to a spokesperson from the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority, on the first day, a total of 24,083 vehicles crossed the sea bridge, while on the second day, the number increased to 55,367. The minimum one-way toll for the 21.8-kilometer bridge connecting Sewri in Mumbai to Chirle in Raigad is Rs 250.

Many individuals took to social media to express their delight and pride in India's engineering marvel. One user, @rakesh_delivers, wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter, about how his family enjoyed the ride and the breathtaking view of Mumbai's skyline. A Panvel resident named Vaibhav Buva, who works in Lower Parel, expressed his gratitude for the bridge, as it has made his commute much easier.

However, some motorists have been seen flouting rules, such as blocking emergency lanes, stopping midway for selfies, and littering on the bridge. @AnIndianBoi shared the excitement of Indians treating the Atal Setu as a romantic getaway, despite the toll charges. The user also speculated that if the bridge were free, it would be perfect for social media influencers.

Although the Mumbai police have prohibited motorcycles, tractors, auto rickshaws, mopeds, and animal-pulled carts from using the sea bridge, photographs of such vehicles on the bridge have gone viral on social media. Netizens sarcastically criticized this situation, with one user, Suheil Marchant, asking if a stall selling corn during the monsoon season would also be spotted on the bridge.

A video showing couples climbing the bridge ladder to reach a viewing platform went viral, prompting concerns about the safety of such acts. Some netizens called for the police to take action against these individuals.

However, others defended these actions, attributing them to curiosity and the novelty of the bridge. They argued that once the novelty wears off, traffic behavior will return to normal. The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority advised drivers on X to experience the joy of driving on India's longest sea bridge but to refrain from stopping for selfies and to drive responsibly.

(Inputs from PTI)