August 28, 2025: Mumbai’s historic 125-year-old Elphinstone Bridge is scheduled for demolition on September 10, paving the way for the Sewri-Worli Elevated Corridor, a key infrastructure project that will connect South Mumbai directly with the Mumbai Trans Harbour Link (Atal Setu). The double-decker elevated road aims to provide seamless, signal-free travel between key city nodes.
According to an Indian Express report, the Mumbai traffic police have approved the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority’s (MMRDA) request to close the bridge for vehicles starting the night of September 10, after which demolition work will commence.
The demolition has been delayed several times. Earlier scheduled for February, it was postponed following resistance from local residents. A major sticking point was the rehabilitation of families living in surrounding buildings. Initially, 19 buildings were marked for demolition to make way for the corridor. However, after strong opposition, MMRDA revised its plans, reducing the number to two. Even then, occupants of these two structures resisted eviction, pressing for on-site rehabilitation and redevelopment of all 19 buildings.
In April, demonstrations by residents compelled MMRDA to defer the bridge closure once again. Later that month, the Maharashtra government intervened. In a meeting chaired by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, it was decided that residents of all 19 affected buildings would be provided redeveloped housing at the same location. The responsibility for executing this plan was handed over to MMRDA.
While demolition is now set for September 10, uncertainty remains over whether the process will proceed without disruption. The outcome will directly influence the timeline for completing the Sewri-Worli Elevated Road, a project already incurring financial setbacks due to delays.
Source: ET Infra
