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The Maharashtra government has approved a cluster redevelopment plan for 19 old buildings near Mumbai’s Elphinstone bridge, postponing immediate demolition amid strong resident opposition. Initially, buildings like Haji Noorani and Laxmi Niwas were marked for demolition, but concerns over displacement and indefinite delays in a combined redevelopment prompted protests. At a joint meeting with residents and authorities, officials agreed to prioritize resident relocation before proceeding with the bridge’s removal. The BMC and MSRDC will now revise the redevelopment strategy, incorporating public feedback and assessing infrastructure impacts. Demolition will only begin once a clear, phased plan and proper housing arrangements are in place.
The Maharashtra government has approved a cluster redevelopment plan for 19 aging buildings near the British-era Elphinstone bridge in Mumbai. This decision comes as an alternative to immediate demolition, which was initially scheduled to begin last week. The bridge itself is under review for possible removal, but the final call has now been delayed following opposition from local residents. Advertisement
The bridge demolition was halted after hundreds of residents from the Elphinstone-Prabhadevi area protested on the streets, fearing displacement and confusion about redevelopment timelines. Two buildings—Haji Noorani and Laxmi Niwas—were earmarked for demolition, but other structures in poor condition were also part of the discussion. While many residents support redevelopment, they expressed concern about unclear timelines and relocation logistics.
Many residents have questioned the logic of combining multiple buildings into a single redevelopment plan, as they fear delays could stretch for years. Those living in Laxmi Niwas and Haji Noorani said they were ready for temporary relocation but were not willing to wait indefinitely if nearby buildings faced hurdles in the same project. A few families refused the transit accommodation offered in Kurla, citing distance and safety concerns, especially for children and elderly family members.
The decision was taken at a joint meeting attended BMC, MMRDA, MSRDC officials, and residents. Authorities agreed that the project should not proceed without a clear and communicated roadmap. They will now revisit the redevelopment strategy to include feedback from residents and urban planners. The BMC, in coordination with MSRDC, will also assess the impact of adjoining infrastructure like the Worli-Sewri elevated connector and Zaveri building before setting a new timeline.
Authorities now plan to first implement redevelopment of the buildings and only proceed with the bridge’s demolition once residents are successfully relocated. This approach is intended to reduce inconvenience and ensure housing continuity. Civic officials confirmed that no demolition will take place until the government finalizes a revised redevelopment plan.
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