August 19, 2025: The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) is set to be appointed as the Special Planning Authority (SPA) for the redevelopment of 19 buildings along the old Elphinstone Bridge in central Mumbai, which is scheduled for demolition. The bridge will make way for the Sewri-Worli Elevated Connector, linking the Rajiv Gandhi Sea Link with the Atal Setu.
“The urban development department will issue a notification appointing the MMRDA as SPA. Only then will we be able to proceed with the acquisition of the buildings, demolition of the bridge, and construction of the Sewri-Worli Elevated Connector over the railway tracks,” a senior MMRDA official told Hindustan Times.
Sources said this change will push back the project’s completion deadline by 8–10 months, to December 2026. Once MMRDA is officially designated as SPA, tenders will be floated for the redevelopment of the 19 buildings, home to 368 project-affected families (PAPs). The selected developer must provide in-situ rehabilitation for the families while constructing additional free-sale units.
Of the affected buildings, 12 are located in BMC’s F South ward and seven in G South ward. Most are nearly a century old and operate under the pagdi system. Naresh Mahakal, a resident, said, “Two developers had evinced interest in redeveloping our buildings. They even made a presentation to us showcasing their credentials.”
Government teams recently surveyed the residential and commercial units, but residents are awaiting further clarity. On the southern side of the bridge, seven buildings have finalised Vardhman V21 Developer for a separate cluster redevelopment.
Past delays, realignments, and disputes over compensation had earlier stalled demolition efforts. Mahakal added, “Now, with MMRDA appointing a developer, we are assured that we will not be left in the lurch.”
Source: Hindustan Times
