Re: Mumbai Trans Harbour Link (MTHL) set to open on January 12 | Toll: Rs. 250 one way Ok. Sigh! I hope I am able to put across the issue correctly - though it is a very long post.
Every Sunday, we travel to Panvel and it entails an early morning drive - have to reach a location at Panvel before 7 am. The early morning drive on Sion-Panvel Highway from Dadar, isn't much of a hassle. The coming back drive, though on the same route is a real pain in the behind - the return journey is anytime between 11am - 2 pm
So I was overjoyed at the prospect of this bridge, more so since the exit is near Sewri, pretty close to Dadar, where I stay. But then came the killjoy moment - the one way toll of Rs. 250/-
And thus, started my devious strategy to come up with a possible mathematical equation or some sordid logic where in I am able to convince the missus that ‘taking the bridge one way at least is beneficial’
You see, the other half is also an engineer and she understands numbers and logic equally well. And I dare not take the bridge without her being on the same page or else the entire journey will have to hear her constant murmurs and sighs of how much extra we are spending.
So here are the metrics while coming back.
I take the Sion Panvel Highway till Chembur, post which I divert on to the Eastern Expressway.
The drive back is 42 kms - door to door - taking about 1h 10 minutes on an average. The top speed every now and then is 70-80 km/h where as the average speed sinks to about 29-32 km/h. The idle time is somewhere close to 8-10 mins. (All data has been culled out from Bluelink App)
The average my vehicle gives me is about 20 km/l
I had read somewhere in one of the forums that the ideal sweet spot in terms of vehicle speed to get optimum fuel saving is in between 60-100 km/h. It was just a mention - no logic or reasons given. Though intuitively one would tend to believe that is the case - highest gear, clear and open road, reduced usage of clutch and minimum stop-start.
Moreover I have also roughly calculated the total distance from the location I am at Panvel to Home, if I take the MTHL. It is around 48-50 kms. Sadly, the entry point at JNPT Road (Chirle Interchange) is about 16-17 kms from Panvel. The bridge is about 22 kms and from Sewri Interchange to Home is another 10 kms or so. i.e. a sum total of a 48-50 kms
The speed on JNPT Road (I have driven on this) and MTHL could be somewhere close to 80-100 km/h. So the average speed for the entire journey back will be close to the sweet spot - thus increasing the chances of fuel saving.
So, keeping in mind one pays 205 extra (minus the 45 at Vashil Toll) to take the MTHL and all of the data above, is there any way of coming up with an amount in hard-cash saved that I can use to coax the missus? Just was looking to throw a number at her, thus getting her to ponder over it and not grumble her way in to my irritation.
Also, something that I thought I can bandy about as a rationale to take the MTHL, though intuitively I feel there is going to be some fuel saving and not to mention the relaxed drive with less usage of clutch.
On a serious note:
How does one come up with the amount of Rs. 250 for one way toll? Surely some study should have been carried out to check what is the optimum amount saved (in terms of fuel) for taking the MTHL.
No doubt there is going to be time saved, but is there saving of fuel as well!!
How much fuel ( and money) would be saved if one chooses to take the MTHL and not the Sion-Panvel Highway? One data point that was herded around was that the fuel saving is around 6-7 litres (one of the Ministers had said it). How so? How did one come up with that number? Any study, reasons or logic behind it?
Shouldn't the general public be apprised of the rationale and the reasons thereof of the amount of fuel saving if one takes the MTHL and thus spending those 205 extra being worth it?
Moreover, the state is looking to develop Ulwe, NAINA region where the new airport is coming up in a big way. The authorities have been gung-ho about the residential markets of Ulwe, NAINA and the viability of New Mumbai Airport and the lynchpin of the above development is MTHL. Barring the direct access provided by MTHL to these markets, the other options or way too wieldy and time intensive. A metro is proposed between the two airports but this will take another 4-5 years to see light of the day.
So surely, some understanding, analysis or rationale needs to be put out in the public forum to make us lesser mortals understand why and how one should take MTHL for their travel needs to Panvel and beyond inspite one way cost being Rs. 250.
Just as an aside - Mumbai Pune Expressway toll till about 6-8 months back was around 270/- one way.
Let that sink in |