It will be a November block to bring down the Elphinstone bridge. After years of waiting, the final act is about to begin on the ageing steel spine that links Prabhadevi and Parel — a structure once known as the 1913-era “Parel Bridge” and later as the Elphinstone Road overbridge. The stone-masonry landings at both ends have already been demolished; now, the bulk of the iron-and-steel span crossing the Central and Western Railway tracks will be dismantled in November.
Clearance in place, stage set
The Maharashtra Rail Infrastructure Development Corporation (MRIDC) has confirmed that it has received clearances from both Central Railway (CR) and Western Railway (WR) to proceed with the dismantling of the steel structure above the active tracks. An official confirmed that the work will “for sure” in November, following the recent removal of approach-road sections.
According to MRIDC officials, the dismantling will be carried out in phases during specially earmarked rail blocks — short periods when train traffic is suspended or rerouted — to allow cranes to operate safely while removing the massive girders.
Why the bridge has to go
The 112-year-old bridge has been a vital east-west connector across Mumbai’s railway corridor, linking the former mill hub of Parel with the residential and commercial zones of Prabhadevi.
It was originally commissioned by the Great Indian Peninsula Railway (GIPR) in 1905 and completed in 1913. The bridge’s cast-iron plaques proudly bear its legacy: “Parel Bridge – GIPR – 1913 – Contractor Bomanji Rustomji” and “P & W Maclellan Ltd., Clutha Works, GIPR, Glasgow, 1911.”
However, decades of heavy traffic, structural wear, and urban expansion have taken a toll. Its removal is part of a larger project to construct a new double-deck road overbridge and elevated connector that will drastically improve the east-west link in central Mumbai.
What to expect in November
The remaining 132-metre steel span across the tracks will now be the focus of the demolition. Two heavy-duty cranes — each capable of lifting hundreds of tonnes — will carefully dismantle the girders in sequence once the rail blocks are announced.
Railway authorities plan to coordinate the timing of these blocks between CR and WR to minimise disruption to suburban and long-distance trains. Still, commuters should brace for temporary delays and schedule changes when the work begins.
The dismantling will start from the CR (east) side first, as MRIDC is still negotiating way-leave charges with WR, which reportedly amount to R59.14 crore.
What lies ahead
Once the old steel structure is removed, construction of the new double-deck bridge will begin. The project — expected to be completed by 2027 — will feature two decks with 2+2 lanes each, linking the Western suburbs to the Sea Link, Atal Setu (Mumbai Trans Harbour Link), and Eastern Express corridors.
Voices from the ground
“I’ve crossed this bridge for 30 years on my scooter. It’s like watching an old friend fade away. The gentle gradients and the approaches to the station were the regular views. Now we don`t know what the new bridge will be like,” said Ramesh Patil, a Parel resident.
“Traffic is already a nightmare because of the diversions. I just hope they stick to the timeline and don’t take another decade,” said Priya Naik, a Dadar-to-Worli commuter. “This bridge was part of our childhood — we used to stand and watch trains from here. It’s sad to see the area lose its character,” said Baburam Gholap, a local resident.
“We just hope the authorities have planned ahead and arranged the girders for the new bridge. Once demolition happens, construction must start immediately,” said Sandeep Kulkarni, owner of Kulkarni Bros in Prabhadevi.
