November 14, 2025: Residents living near the demolished Elphinstone Road bridge staged a protest on Thursday evening, alleging that ongoing construction activity for the Sewri–Worli Elevated Corridor is generating continuous vibrations that may endanger their ageing buildings. Nearly 50 residents gathered at the site where the century-old British-era bridge once stood, stating that demolition work and subsequent activity have created persistent tremors in the area.
“Since the bridge’s demolition began, we have been experiencing vibrations in our buildings. Such constant vibrations will weaken the structural stability of the buildings along the construction site,” said Munaf Patel, a resident of Haji Noorani Chawl, one of the structures expected to be removed to accommodate a pillar for the corridor.
Residents noted that the neighbourhood comprises largely old and dilapidated structures already vulnerable to stress, and that heavy machinery and demolition work are increasing the risk of damage. “We fear the vibrations are having a serious impact on our buildings,” one resident said.
So far, the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) has demolished the approach ramps on both ends of the bridge and is currently engaged in debris removal. Once this process is complete, the Maharashtra Rail Infrastructure Development Corporation (MRIDC) will use heavy cranes to dismantle the section of the bridge located above the railway tracks. Full-scale piling for the two pillars of the proposed double-decker structure has not yet commenced.
MMRDA had originally planned to demolish 19 buildings and rehabilitate affected families and commercial establishments. A revised design, however, has now reduced the number of impacted structures to two.
Following the protest, residents said they intend to meet MMRDA officials on Friday to seek a solution. MMRDA commissioner Sanjay Mukherjee did not respond to calls or messages from Hindustan Times.
