In a striking display of public resistance, hundreds of residents from central Mumbai staged an intense protest on Friday night against the proposed demolition of the 125-year-old Elphinstone bridge.
The agitation disrupted Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority’s (MMRDA) operations just hours before machinery was set to begin tearing down the British-era structure. The standoff, which lasted over four hours, culminated in a temporary pause ordered by the Chief Minister’s Office, pending a key decision scheduled for the following Monday.The bridge, an east-west arterial connector in the heart of south Mumbai, stands at the intersection of heritage and urban redevelopment. As part of a broader mobility plan to facilitate the under-construction Worli-Sewri connector, MMRDA’s decision to raze the structure sparked outcry from communities in 19 neighbouring buildings. Residents voiced concern not only about the loss of the historic structure but also the severe lack of clarity surrounding their eviction, relocation, and compensation.
The first phase of demolition directly affects families residing in long-standing housing societies like Haji Noorani and Laxmi Niwas, whose generational roots in the area span decades. Several protestors alleged that notices had been issued without parallel communication on alternate accommodation or rehabilitation packages. For many, the emotional connection to their homes was compounded by practical fears—forced relocation to distant or unsafe areas would disrupt schooling, livelihoods, and access to hospitals.Locals underscored that the current alternatives to the bridge—Currey Road, Chinchpokli, and the incomplete Tilak bridge—are either overcrowded or non-functional, posing substantial challenges to daily commuters.
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The heritage bridge continues to serve thousands of residents, schoolchildren, patients, and small business owners who rely on the corridor for essential mobility across the eastern and western stretches of the city. Parents expressed distress that school commutes of 10 minutes would now take up to an hour, a change that could have long-term implications on safety and well-being.The protest also brought to the fore a wider urban issue—redevelopment decisions that appear technocratic, often overlook the people most affected by them.
Though the traffic department announced alternate diversions and promised deployment of additional personnel to manage congestion, residents remained unconvinced. The bridge, they argued, is not just a piece of infrastructure but an ecosystem supporting a balanced mix of social and economic life.
While city officials maintain that the demolition is essential for progress, questionsremain around whether such projects can be balanced with inclusive planning. As Mumbai grapples with its infrastructural ambitions, the Elphinstone bridge episode is a reminder that the pulse of a city beats strongest in its communities. For now, the families await Monday’s meeting, hoping that their voices will find space in the blueprint of development.
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Mumbai Locals Halt 125 Year Old Bridge Work
