The Maharashtra government and the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) have directed the Maharashtra Rail Infrastructure Development Corporation (MRIDC) to accelerate construction of the double-decker road bridge replacing the century-old Elphinstone Bridge in central Mumbai. The bridge is a key infrastructure upgrade aimed at easing congestion and strengthening east-west connectivity along one of the city’s busiest corridors. Authorities have emphasised strict timelines to ensure that delays do not affect linked projects in the expanding transport network.
Revised Deadlines for Completion
Officials have set April 2026 as the target for completing the lower deck, while the upper deck is expected to be ready by September 2026. The accelerated schedule is intended to keep the larger Sewri–Worli Connector corridor and other associated projects on track. The bridge upgrade is considered essential to improve traffic movement and modernize aging infrastructure in a highly congested zone.
Dismantling Work Underway
MRIDC is currently removing sections of the old steel bridge above Western Railway tracks during planned three-hour night blocks when suburban services are paused. Cranes at both ends of the bridge are assisting workers in cutting and clearing steel girders safely. Following this, dismantling will begin over Central Railway lines. The new 132-metre-long double-decker bridge will serve as a critical link in the Sewri–Worli corridor, though coordination among MRIDC, Central Railway, and Western Railway has caused some scheduling delays.
Project Handover and Financial Disputes
The Central Railway section was handed over to MRIDC on November 7, 2025, and the Western Railway portion on December 30, 2025. While the official project duration is 365 days, authorities aim to complete the bridge by September 2026. A financial hurdle remains, with the railways demanding Rs 106 crore in way-leave and fees, which MRIDC contends is disproportionately high against the total estimated project cost of Rs 167 crore, adding complexity to execution.
Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, also MMRDA chair, has urged continuous monitoring to fast-track construction and adhere to deadlines.
Source: Lokmat Times
