The closure of the century-old Elphinstone bridge has left commuters and residents grappling with chaos, and frontline healthcare workers struggling the most. Doctors and staff at KEM, Nair, and Wadia hospitals say diversions have tripled their travel time, piling on financial strain, personal stress, and professional hurdles.
“My hostel is near KEM Hospital, and I work at Nair Hospital. I would use the bridge daily. Since we work at BMC hospitals and often visit PHCs, Elphinstone was the only quick connector. I earlier spent Rs 50 to Rs 60 one way. Now I spend R150 one way, and what took 20 minutes now takes almost an hour,” said Dr Rupali Rajput.
For doctors already working 12 to 14-hour shifts, the extended commute has become an added burden. Many now rely on app-based cabs, but surge pricing has further dented their monthly budgets. “I usually took a bus from Dadar to Wadia Hospital. Now I’m forced to take cabs at surge rates. Buses are crowded, delayed, and forced to take detours,” said Dr Anamika Sharma.
Even those travelling by train are struggling. “We BMC doctors are already overburdened. Now, even if we leave early, we still arrive late. This creates a domino effect — the schedule collapses,” said Dr Amit Patel, who lives in Thane and takes a cab from Dadar to reach KEM. Doctors say the closure has compounded their mental and physical strain. “We already deal with excessive patient load. Now we face travel exhaustion, unpredictable arrivals, and higher costs. It feels like a never-ending cycle,” said a resident doctor from KEM.
What frustrates many is the lack of foresight and communication from civic and traffic authorities. While diversions have been announced, several routes remain poorly marked. Even ambulances face longer detours, risking delays in getting patients to hospitals. “The government should understand. How can a middle- or lower-middle-class employee afford such cab fares? If planning had been done properly, or hospitals given time to prepare, we would not have suffered,” said Bharti Pingale, a Mahim resident who works at KEM Hospital.
“I stay at Matunga West and would use the bridge daily to commute. Now no taxi driver agrees to go to Wadia Hospital from my home. I am now forced to travel by train everyday and the rush has increased in trains because of the bridge closure. The other day, once, it was raining heavily and I had to take a cab, even my driver suggested taking the train if this is my daily travel. In Mumbai, it’s always the common people who get used to all the inconvenience; the officials don’t think of people’s convenience at all. We are in a profession where a delay of even 10 seconds can cost someone their life. And here we are, reaching late because of this bridge closure,” said Dr Shruti Ravi, senior resident, Wadia Hospital.
