December 24, 2025: The F/South ward of Mumbai, which includes areas such as Sewri, Dadar East, Lalbaug, and Parel, is witnessing a surge in large-scale infrastructure development, yet long-standing civic challenges continue to trouble residents. With the recently inaugurated Atal Setu originating from Sewri, the ward has become a key gateway in Mumbai’s evolving transport network. Several other major projects, including the redevelopment of the Elphinstone Bridge and the proposed Orange Gate tunnel, are also planned within its limits.
Once the centre of Mumbai’s thriving textile mill economy, the ward has undergone a dramatic transformation over the years. Old mill lands have given way to high-rise residential and commercial developments, reshaping the skyline. However, despite this redevelopment momentum, everyday issues such as severe monsoon waterlogging at Hindmata junction, encroached roads and chronic traffic congestion remain unresolved.
The ward is home to some of Mumbai’s oldest residential clusters, including BDD Chawl, railway chawls, Ganesh Gully, Police Colony and parts of the Kohinoor Mills compound. Redevelopment has become a pressing concern, especially as new infrastructure work raises questions about the structural safety of ageing buildings. While projects like the BDD Chawl redevelopment are underway, other pockets continue to await progress.
Traffic pressure has intensified further following the closure of the Elphinstone bridge for redevelopment, residents said. High daytime footfall and roadside encroachments have compounded congestion, even as civic authorities work to address flooding hotspots.
Former corporator Sachin Padwal highlighted the need to accelerate stalled projects, saying, “We are eyeing to fast-track stalled redevelopment projects such as the Sewri building chawl by appealing to the Central government to release lands. Being a hospital hub with major hospitals like KEM, Wadia, Bachubhai and Tata, the ward also requires a proper shelter area for patients who currently sleep on the streets.”
Politically, the F/South ward remains a stronghold of the Shiv Sena (UBT), despite demographic changes driven by redevelopment. The ward falls under the Mumbai South parliamentary constituency, represented by MP Arvind Sawant, and party leaders remain confident of retaining dominance in the upcoming elections.
