The Bombay High Court has approved the demolition of Mumbai’s historic Elphinstone Bridge, paving the way for the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) to move ahead with the Sewri-Worli Connector project. The decision follows the dismissal of a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by a resident who argued that the British-era structure was still structurally sound. The court, however, upheld MMRDA’s technical assessment, declaring the bridge unsafe and emphasising the larger public interest of improving connectivity.
The Elphinstone Bridge lies directly along the alignment of the 4.5-kilometre elevated Sewri-Worli Connector, which will link the Mumbai Trans Harbour Link (MTHL) with key arterial roads in central Mumbai. Once completed, the corridor is expected to ease congestion near high-traffic areas like Dadar and Parel, as well as improve access to hospitals such as KEM and Tata Memorial.
Despite protests from nearby residents concerned about demolition-related disruptions, the court ruled in favour of infrastructure development. However, challenges remain. Residents of 19 buildings in Sewri affected by the project are demanding in-situ rehabilitation, rejecting compensation offers of Rs 25–40 lakh as inadequate for housing within the same neighbourhood. They fear being forced into distant suburbs, away from livelihoods and essential services.
MMRDA has acknowledged these concerns and stated its willingness to work with residents holding valid property documents to find suitable solutions. With the legal green light secured, authorities are now racing to meet project timelines while balancing construction needs with fair rehabilitation efforts.
The demolition marks a key milestone for Mumbai’s urban connectivity plans, but it also highlights the ongoing tension between development and displacement. How effectively MMRDA handles rehabilitation will be critical in determining the project’s long-term success and public support.
Source: Urban Acres
