Mumbai’s 125-year-old Elphinstone Bridge will be demolished on September 10, paving the way for the long-delayed Sewri-Worli Elevated Road project. The move marks the beginning of a crucial phase in connecting South Mumbai to the Mumbai Trans Harbour Link (Atal Setu), offering signal-free travel to commuters across the city’s expanding infrastructure network.
The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) has secured approval from city traffic police to close the bridge to vehicular movement from the night of September 10, following which demolition will commence. Officials confirmed that the bridge, once an important arterial link, has become a bottleneck in integrating the city’s elevated mobility plan. The Elphinstone Bridge demolition has faced repeated delays over the last year. Plans to remove the structure in February were stalled after sustained opposition from residents of neighbouring buildings. Rehabilitation and relocation of families in the Prabhadevi area proved to be a significant hurdle, slowing the pace of construction on the elevated corridor.
Initially, the project blueprint had proposed demolishing 19 buildings to create space for the elevated road. However, following strong public protests, the design was modified to restrict demolition to only two structures. Residents of these buildings resisted evacuation, demanding a comprehensive redevelopment of all 19 buildings and on-site rehabilitation. Demonstrations earlier this year forced authorities to temporarily halt closure of the bridge, further delaying the infrastructure timeline. In April, the state government intervened, assuring that all affected households across the 19 buildings would receive redeveloped homes at the same site. Responsibility for the rehabilitation process was assigned to MMRDA, with the intent of balancing infrastructure expansion with social equity. This decision helped resolve a major point of conflict, though questions remain on whether the demolition will now proceed smoothly.
For Mumbai, the project carries significance beyond the demolition itself. The Sewri-Worli Elevated Road is designed as a double-decker corridor that will integrate seamlessly with the Atal Setu. Once completed, it is expected to reduce congestion, cut travel times, and provide a sustainable alternative to road networks choked by rising private vehicle use. Urban mobility experts argue that such projects, if executed with care for environmental and social sustainability, could transform Mumbai’s urban landscape. The demolition of the heritage-era Elphinstone Bridge also highlights the city’s shifting balance between preservation and modernisation. While concerns remain about heritage conservation, urban planners maintain that integrating 21st-century transport solutions is critical for a city growing under immense population and traffic pressures.
Whether the demolition proceeds as scheduled will determine how quickly the Sewri-Worli Elevated Road reaches completion. For residents, commuters, and city planners alike, the project represents both the challenge and promise of building a more connected, sustainable Mumbai.
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