After years of waiting, the long-delayed foot overbridge (FOB) between Prabhadevi and Parel stations — built parallel to the now-demolished Elphinstone Road overbridge — was finally opened to the public on Tuesday morning from the Central Railway side.
The new bridge, a crucial link for thousands of office-goers in Mumbai’s mill district, is expected to ease crowding at one of the city’s most congested stretches. However, access is currently restricted to railway commuters. Locals have demanded that non-ticketed pedestrians also be allowed to use the bridge for east–west connectivity, pointing out that railway bridges are the only options available.
mid-day had earlier highlighted how the Western Railway (WR) end of the FOB was opened a few years ago, followed by an extension across all WR lines. But the Central Railway (CR) portion remained incomplete until recently, leaving the WR section underutilised. The new bridge has now been completed with funding from the BMC, but activists argue it should serve as a public utility bridge rather than a railway-only facility.
City activists say opening the bridge to all will help prevent tragedies like the 2017 Elphinstone Road stampede. The Maharashtra Rail Infrastructure Development Corporation (MRIDC–MahaRail), tasked with building a double-decker road overbridge at Elphinstone/Prabhadevi, has already written to zonal railways requesting general public access. “We have asked the zonal railways to allow the general public on the new bridge. We have written to the divisional office,” an MRIDC official said.
A CR official confirmed they have no objection, stating, “The new FOB does not land on any of our platforms, is away from the main station, and is being treated as a civic FOB.” The bridge currently lands on two platforms of Prabhadevi station on the WR side.
History of Elphinstone bridge
The bridge over the Parel railway lines carries both historical and engineering significance. In 1905, the Great Indian Peninsula Railway (GIPR) asked the Bombay Municipality to fund a road overbridge to replace the level crossing. Both the municipality and the Bombay, Baroda and Central India Railway (BB&CI) refused, forcing GIPR to shoulder the cost, with the civic body only building approaches.
The bridge was completed in 1913. Stone engravings still bear the name “Parel Bridge,” while the iron girders display plaques inscribed: “GIPR, Parel Bridge, 1913, Contractor Bomanji Rustomji.” Other seals read: “P&W Maclellan Limited, Clutha Works, GIPR, Glasgow, 1911,” a name also seen on GIPR structures like Sandhurst Road station (1921) and the Matunga Carriage Workshop (1909).
People speak
Ketan Shah, member of Zonal Railway Users Consultative Committee
“Why restrict this bridge to ticket-holders only? It should serve the neighbourhood too — not just those catching trains. Tickets can be checked for people stepping onto platforms, but not for those crossing east–west,” said.
Devendra Tandel, commuter
“Opening this bridge is good news, but unless it’s open for pedestrians too, traffic chaos outside won’t improve. Authorities should remember the 2017 tragedy. A fully accessible bridge means fewer chances of overcrowding and accidents.”
