Photo: Prime Minister's Office, GODL-India via Wikimedia Commons
India's longest sea bridge, also known as Mumbai Trans-Harbour Link (MTHL). Named after former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, the bridge connects Sewri in Mumbai to Nhava Sheva in Navi Mumbai, across the Mumbai Harbour.
The Mumbai Trans Harbour Link, officially named as Atal Bihari Vajpayee Sewri–Nhava Sheva Atal Setu and colloquially known as Atal Setu, is a 18.2 km (11.3 mi), 6-lane grade separated expressway bridge, which connects Mumbai with Navi Mumbai, its satellite city. It is the longest sea bridge in India, and the world's 12th longest sea bridge. The bridge begins in Sewri, South Mumbai, crosses Thane Creek north of Elephanta Island, and terminates at Chirle near Nhava Sheva in Uran taluka, South Navi Mumbai. The road is linked to NH348 in the east and to the Eastern Freeway in the west.
© OpenStreetMap contributors
It has large areas of mudflats which are not only a safe habitat for flamingoes in winter but also have adequate food availability. A large number of flamingos reach along with their babies from their breeding area, Rann of Kutch, to Sewri every year. They arrive and stay between the month of October to March. Other bird species come to feed at the flats.
शिवडी किल्ला Śivḍī Killā
This is a fort in Mumbai built by the British at Sewri. Built in 1680, the fort served as a watch tower, atop a quarried hill overlooking the Mumbai Harbour. Up to the 18th century, Mumbai consisted of several small islands. In 1661, seven of these islands were ceded by the Portuguese to the British as part of the dowry of Charles II of England. The harbour proved eminently apposite, and the British planned to shift base from Surat to Mumbai. The Siddis, who were of African descent and noted for their navies, had allied themselves with the Mughals. The British, under the East India Company, and the Mughals were constantly waging war on each other. As allies of the Mughals, the Siddis also declared the British enemies. Faced with relentless attacks by the Siddis in 1672, several fortifications were constructed in Mumbai, and in 1780 the Sewri fort was complete. It stood on the island of Parel, on a hill overlooking the eastern seaboard and Indian mainland. It had a garrison of 50 sepoys (Indian soldiers) and was managed by a subedar (Pakistan lieutenant). It was also armed with eight to ten cannons. After the decline of the regional powers, the fort was subsequently used to house prisoners. It was later converted into a Bombay Port Trust godown. The fort was built primarily for defence, and embellishments are absent. It is bordered by high stone walls, including an inner ring for added protection. It is landlocked on three sides and sits atop of sheer cliff of about 60 m. The entrance is a stone doorway that leads into a courtyard. To prevent a frontal assault from the main entrance, the inner entrances were placed perpendicular to the main entrances. There is also a pentagonal room along with a long domed corridor, and linear vaulted structures. The area overlooks the Sewree mudflats, which are frequented by migratory birds, particularly the lesser flamingoes.
It features amateur mini models of BEST buses and the ancient trams.
A very special and tranquil church. This is probably the most prominent landmark in this district.
शीवचा किल्ला Sīvcā Killā
In 1543, the Portuguese took possession of the islands of Bombay by force, naming one of them Sião after Mount Zion in Jerusalem. The Portuguese gave the Jesuit priests sole ownership of some of these islands. The Jesuits then built a chapel atop a conical hillock. The present-day fort was built by the British Governor of Bombay Gerard Aungier atop the hillock. Sion was then the boundary between British-held Parel Island and Portuguese-held Salsette Island and the castle marked the northeast boundary of their possession. The fort was built between 1669 and 1677. The fort is dilapidated and a collection of broken stone steps, scattered walls, and ruins overrun by trees and ground cover. The fort wall has a small room on top. A series of pathways lead to it. The fort offers a panoramic view, overlooking the salt pans in Thane Creek. However, vandalism and apathy have taken a toll on the structure.
Marubai Gaondevi Temple
Around the 1700s this area was called Marubai Tekdi Gaon, which is said was shortened to MaTunGa (Matunga). Marubai is the traditional Gaondevi (village Goddess) of Matunga whose small temple existed under a peepal tree at King's Circle.