The demolition of the century-old Road Over Bridge (ROB) at Prabhadevi, a vital phase in the building of the Sewri-Worli Elevated Connector, is scheduled to start by the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA). With all safety and technical precautions in place, MMRDA is currently awaiting approval from the Mumbai Traffic Police, which should happen by April 10. After approval, demolition will start right away to guarantee completion before the monsoon season.
The Sewri-Worli Elevated Connector, spanning 4.5 km, is a four-lane elevated corridor designed to serve as a traffic dispersal route for the Mumbai end of the Atal Setu. The project aims to provide seamless connectivity between Atal Setu, the Bandra-Worli Sea Link, and the Mumbai Coastal Road, significantly reducing travel time for commuters between Navi Mumbai and South Mumbai. The project includes the construction of two ROBs—one at Sewri (Harbour Line) and the other at Prabhadevi (Central and Western Lines). The existing Prabhadevi ROB, which is over 100 years old, will be replaced with a modern double-decker bridge capable of handling high traffic volumes.
Advanced Push-Pull construction methods will be used to build the new structure, enabling the safe erection of a steel superstructure over operational railway lines without interfering with train operations. The double-decker bridge would have two levels: the upper level will handle traffic from Atal Setu to Worli, while the lower level will connect Senapati Bapat Road and Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Road with a 2+2 lane roadway. According to the technical criteria, the superstructure must weigh 3,000 metric tonnes and 1,200 metric tonnes, respectively, and span 95 and 37 meters. The Worli side approach will be 209 meters long, and the Sewri side approach will be 156 meters long.
The demolition and reconstruction process poses significant engineering challenges due to limited space and live railway tracks. MMRDA will deploy 800-metric-ton cranes, with a 500-metric-ton standby crane, to execute the dismantling efficiently. To ensure minimal disruption to train services, daily block periods will be coordinated with Central and Western Railways. Additional precautions will be taken to safeguard underground utilities while constructing the approach roads.
As part of the traffic management plan, the stretch between Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Road and Senapati Bapat Marg will be closed for one year. During this period, commuters will be directed to alternate routes via Curry Road Bridge (south) and Tilak Bridge (north). To accommodate pedestrians, the existing Foot Overbridge (FOB) near Parel Station will be designated as a non-ticketed public zone, and a new FOB near Prabhadevi Station is under construction. While the Western Railway section of this FOB is complete, work on the Central Railway side is still underway and will be expedited.
The new double-decker ROB will greatly improve East-West connectivity in Mumbai once it is operational, allowing for smoother and faster travel. The MMRDA has confirmed that all groundwork is complete, with the only pending approval being the final traffic clearance. Authorities emphasise the importance of timely approvals to maintain project momentum and ensure commuter safety, as the demolition must be completed before the monsoon. The Mumbai Traffic Police is expected to grant permission by April 10 after the MCGM completes work on connecting roads.
Source: The Free Press Journal
