Mumbai: Elphinstone Bridge Demolition Delayed as Project-Affected Residents Meet Raj Thackeray, Demand In-Situ Rehabilitation

Mumbai, 3rd May 2025: Mumbai’s 125-year-old Elphinstone Bridge demolition, crucial for the Sewri-Worli double-decker connector linking Atal Setu, has been postponed again after intense protests from residents of 19 buildings set to be impacted by the project. The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) had planned to close the bridge for two years starting April 10, but local opposition and demands for clear, in-situ rehabilitation have stalled progress.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis recently announced a cluster redevelopment plan under Section 33(9) of the Development Control and Promotion Regulations (DCPR), promising that residents would not be displaced until proper arrangements are made. However, affected families have rejected temporary relocation to Kurla, insisting their lives and livelihoods are tied to the area. The Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS), led by Raj Thackeray, has taken up the cause, with Thackeray assuring residents that demolition will not proceed without their consent and adequate information about their new homes.

Protests have forced authorities to delay work twice, with residents and political leaders demanding written assurances and transparency regarding the rehabilitation process. The Bombay High Court has also directed MMRDA to consider local concerns and expertise in public infrastructure decisions. The bridge, a vital east-west link between Parel and Prabhadevi, will eventually be replaced by a modern double-decker structure, but only after the rehabilitation of project-affected persons is secured.