Finally putting an end to the confusion over the Elphinstone Bridge closure, a notification issued under the Home Department by Deputy Commissioner of Police Dr Dipali Dhate stated that the British-era bridge will be closed to traffic from midnight today. Confirming this, Joint Commissioner of Traffic Anil Kumbhare told mid-day, “As per information received from MMRDA, we will shut the bridge today at midnight.”
Senior Inspector of Dadar Traffic Police, Kanhailal Shinde, added, “We have already put up diversion boards, so people are aware the bridge may close at any time and have started taking alternative routes.” On the rehabilitation of affected residents, Deputy CM Eknath Shinde approved a proposal to shift 83 families from Haaji Noorani and Lakshmi Niwas into MHADA’s transit buildings available nearby.
“The rehabilitation of residents from two buildings affected by the Sewri-Worli elevated road near Elphinstone Bridge will be carried out in MHADA’s housing units in the same vicinity. A total of 83 project-affected individuals from Lakshmi Nivas and Haji Noorani Chawl will now be rehabilitated here. This approval by Deputy CM Shinde brings significant relief to the residents,” the statement said.
As part of the construction of the Worli-Sewri connector, the Elphinstone Bridge is to be demolished, and during the erection of pillars, Lakshmi Nivas and Haji Noorani Chawl will be affected. The residents of these two buildings had demanded rehabilitation within the same locality. Responding to this, Deputy CM Shinde has approved the proposal to relocate them into free MHADA flats in the area. Previously, 19 buildings were expected to be affected by the project, but MMRDA made structural modifications to the plan, ensuring that only two buildings are now affected.”
Resident Speak
However, this has sparked a new wave of anger among residents. “What happened to the verbal commitment given by the CM? Does that have no value, even when he gave it publicly? ‘We had clearly stated that we should first be handed over the keys to transit homes in nearby MHADA buildings, and only then should the bridge be shut. Now, are they expecting us to shift in half a day?’ Rabiya Thakur, resident, Haaji Noorani.
Dilip S, a resident of Veera Building, one of the other 17 buildings, said, “Once they start demolishing the bridge and it starts affecting our old buildings, what if the structures collapse due to pressure? How are the CM and Deputy CM not on the same page? This is a matter of hundreds of lives.” Former corporator Purnima Ullhas Panchal asked, “Why are they rushing to shut the bridge, which is the central part of the larger project? They have not even installed pillars on the Worli and Sewri sides yet.”
