The dismantling of Mumbai’s 112-year-old Elphinstone Road Over Bridge is progressing at a steady pace, with authorities now aiming to wrap up the exercise by August 2026 — two months ahead of the earlier October target. The bridge, which links Lower Parel and Prabhadevi, is being taken down in calibrated stages above operational lines of Western Railway and Central Railway, underscoring the engineering precision required in a city with one of the world’s busiest suburban rail networks.
The removal process involves dismantling the ageing steel deck in three segments of approximately 30 metres each. Work is being carried out during restricted night-time railway blocks to limit disruption to train services. The western portion has already been removed, while the central and eastern spans remain under execution. Officials indicate that the middle section presents the greatest complexity, as it sits above multiple live tracks and requires meticulous crane manoeuvres along with temporary adjustments to overhead electrical lines.
Once cleared, the structure will make way for a contemporary double-deck bridge aimed at increasing vehicular capacity without affecting rail operations. The new design includes a 132-metre open web girder manufactured in Noida, engineered without intermediate piers above the tracks to enhance safety and structural performance. Work on foundations, including reinforced columns and deeper piers, is currently underway. The girder will be installed using specialised sliding-launch methods after substructure completion.
Authorities attribute the revised timeline to tighter coordination among engineering teams and more rigorous scheduling protocols, ensuring quicker progress while maintaining safety standards.
Parallel upgrades are underway at key junctions in Byculla, Dadar and Ghatkopar as part of Mumbai’s broader transport modernisation drive. Collectively, these initiatives aim to ease congestion, improve connectivity and future-proof the city’s infrastructure against rising mobility demands.
Source: Urban Acres
