“Not a picnic spot,” according to Mumbai Police, if you stop, trash, or take pictures at Atal Setu

Mumbai Police has issued a warning about filing formal complaints (FIRs) against individuals who have been caught taking photos, pausing on the bridge to enjoy the sea view, and trash. Pictures, videos, and reels of these incidents have gone viral on social media. Since it opened to the public at 8 a.m. on Saturday, around 80,000 cars have crossed the Atal Setu, the nation’s longest sea bridge, which Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated on January 12. However, some drivers’ excessive excitement has also sparked alarm among online users.

“We agree that Atal Setu is definitely a watch, but it’s also illegal to stop and take pictures there,” Mumbai police said on X. The police cautioned drivers, “If you stop on MTHL, you will face a FIR.”

A representative for the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority stated on Monday that 24,083 cars crossed the sea bridge on Saturday, compared to 55,367 on Day 2. The 21–8 km sea bridge that links Chirle in nearby Raigad with Sewri in Mumbai has a minimum one-way toll of Rs 250.

Autorikshaw observed
motorbikes, tractors, autorickshaws, mopeds, animal-pulled carts, and other slow-moving vehicles are prohibited on the sea bridge by Mumbai Police; yet, several images of motorbikes and autorickshaws became popular on social media.

“An auto rickshaw was seen on the #MTHL bridge on the day that #RoadSafety month began in India; what other sightings are you likely to see on the bridge? a) A tractor b) A bicycle c) A stand that sells corn during the monsoon season “Sarcastically, Mumbai resident Suheil Marchant posted on X.

A video of several couples jumping down a bridge ladder to land on a viewing platform became viral as well, and some online users requested that the authorities arrest the couples for their risky behavior.