September 12, 2025: Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has approved a proposal to rehabilitate residents of two buildings impacted by the Shivadi–Worli elevated road project in the Elphinstone Bridge area. The affected families will be shifted to Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority (MHADA) flats located within the same locality.
The decision will benefit 83 project-affected residents of Laxmi Niwas and Haji Noorani Chawl, both of which will be impacted during construction of the Worli–Sewri Connector. The approval brings relief to the residents, who had insisted on being relocated to nearby accommodation rather than moved to distant suburbs.
The Elphinstone Bridge is scheduled for demolition as part of the road project, which forms a critical link in Mumbai’s infrastructure network. Construction of the connector’s supporting pillars would have directly affected the two buildings, necessitating relocation of their occupants. Responding to local demands, the Deputy CM cleared the proposal for rehabilitation in MHADA flats within the same area, ensuring minimal disruption to the residents’ lives.
Initially, 19 buildings were expected to be impacted by the project. However, the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) revised the alignment, sparing 17 of them. This adjustment has significantly reduced the scale and cost of rehabilitation, with officials estimating savings of approximately Rs 5,200 crore.
The move is also expected to accelerate project timelines by reducing the complexity of rehabilitation arrangements. With only two buildings now requiring alternative housing, the process has been streamlined considerably.
Authorities believe the decision strikes a balance between advancing the city’s infrastructure development and addressing the concerns of affected citizens. The rehabilitation of Laxmi Niwas and Haji Noorani Chawl residents marks another step forward in ensuring the timely completion of the Worli–Sewri Connector.
Source: Mumbai Live
