Bridge closure suspended after protest

Residents of 19 nearby buildings block traffic at 8pm for around four hours

- Shreya Jachak

MUMBAI: At around 8pm on Friday, four hours before personnel from the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) would set about closing the 125-year-old Elphinstone bridge to embark on the first phase of demolition, residents of 19 buildings flanking the flyover, turned up in full force protesting its closure.

Following an over four-hour standoff between MMRDA officials and the protestors, a little after midnight, the government's plan of demolition was suspended.

This was confirmed by Kalidas Kolambkar, MLA of Wadala constituency. He said: "The CM's office has instructed to stop the work till Monday, when a meeting will be held following which the final decision will be taken. The demolition plan is on hold for now."

Sriram Pawar, a member of Parel residents Association said: "We will put forth our demands in the meeting on Monday, hoping they will listen to us."

MMRDA planned to close the flyover to make way for the new Worli-Sewri connector. Earlier this week, the traffic police had provided alternate routes for travellers who use the bridge - their options being to divert to the Tilak bridge in Dadar as well as the Chinchpokli bridge to cross over the railway tracks in either direction.