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The Bombay High Court has dismissed a PIL against the demolition of the British-era Elphinstone bridge, allowing the MMRDA to proceed with the Sewri-Worli Connector project. The court upheld technical reports declaring the bridge unsafe, despite local protests. The 4.5-km elevated corridor will improve east-west connectivity, linking the Mumbai Trans Harbour Link to the coastal road and easing traffic near major hospitals and Dadar-Parel stations. Meanwhile, residents in Sewri are demanding in-situ rehabilitation, saying MMRDA’s INR 25–40 lakh compensation is inadequate. Authorities are set to resume demolition and reassess rehabilitation plans, though local resistance may continue to pose challenges.
The Bombay High Court has dismissed a public interest litigation (PIL) challenging the demolition of the British-era Elphinstone bridge, paving the way for the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) to proceed with construction of the Sewri-Worli Connector. The court found no legal grounds to stall the project, which is crucial for improving east-west connectivity in the city. Advertisement
The PIL was filed by a resident who argued that the bridge was still structurally sound. However, the court accepted MMRDA’s technical reports that declared the bridge unsafe. The decision comes just days after demolition was halted due to protests by local residents, many of whom live in buildings surrounding the bridge and are set to be affected by the upcoming infrastructure project.
The Elphinstone bridge is part of the alignment for the 4.5-km long, two-deck Sewri-Worli Connector. The elevated corridor will link the Mumbai Trans Harbour Link (MTHL) and coastal road networks. The bridge’s demolition will enable expansion of roads around key hospitals like KEM and Tata Memorial, as well as traffic relief near Dadar and Parel stations. MMRDA has already begun preparatory work, but full demolition will resume now that the court has given a green light.
Meanwhile, project-affected persons (PAPs) from Sewri—another key location for the connector—are demanding in-situ rehabilitation. Residents of 19 buildings in the area claim that the MMRDA’s compensation of INR 25–40 lakh is not enough to secure alternate housing in Sewri. Many say they want to be relocated within the same neighbourhood and not shifted to distant suburbs. MMRDA has promised to review these requests, especially for residents with clear property documents.
The MMRDA is now expected to proceed with both demolition and fresh rounds of rehabilitation assessment. With court approval in hand and pressure to meet metro and connector timelines, authorities are likely to fast-track work. However, local protests and demand for fair in-situ housing may continue to impact pace unless a broader consensus is achieved.
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