Demolition of the Historic Elphinstone Bridge and its After-Effects

Mumbai is no stranger to change. The city thrives on constant reinvention, where old structures make way for new ones, and yet every demolition carries with it the weight of memory. The recent tearing down of the Elphinstone Bridge in Parel is one such moment, a goodbye to a century-old landmark that once stitched together the rhythms of east and west Mumbai.

A Bridge Born in the Colonial Era

Built in 1913, the Elphinstone Bridge was a product of the British colonial expansion of Bombay. The city at the time was growing rapidly, and the need for east-west connectivity became urgent. It took close to two years to design and raise the steel and stone structure, which soon became an indispensable part of daily life. For over a hundred years, the bridge was more than just a road over railway lines. 

Decades of traffic, monsoons, and sheer overuse left the bridge weak and unsafe. Cracks and corrosion meant that patchwork repairs were no longer enough. Engineers warned that the structure could not handle modern traffic demands. And so, after 125 years of service, the decision was taken to close and dismantle it. The demolition of Elphinstone Bridge began in September 2025, signalling both inconvenience and hope for the city.

The Importance of Elphinstone Bridge

The bridge was far more than just a structure of concrete and steel. It connected Parel on the east with Prabhadevi on the west, linking hospitals, schools, offices, and markets. Ambulances rushed through it, students crossed it, and countless workers used it daily. For many residents, the bridge was not just a shortcut; it was the very lifeline that allowed them to reach their destinations on time. Its absence will be felt most by those who live and work in the crowded lanes nearby, as traffic shifts to alternate routes that are already overburdened.

"In Monsoons, it becomes extremely difficult to travel to places like Worli and Prabhadevi without this bridge", says a commuter in a hurry while talking to Local Samosa. Another vegetable vendor opines about his hardships, "Our business is affected the most by this. If we're talking numbers, I only make 20% of what I used to make earlier. And, soon we'll be asked to vacate the footpaths where we've been conducting our businesses for years". The local market, which received abundant footfall from commuters going to the Prabhadevi station, passersby, and the office crowd, who would often shop. 

Impact on Residents and Markets

The demolition has already begun to affect the local community. Traffic congestion has increased on surrounding roads, stretching commutes and fraying tempers. "Small shops and street vendors who once thrived on the steady stream of passersby near the bridge are seeing fewer customers", said a hawker as he sat idle, which is ironic, as this would be the busiest time for him, catering to customers. For residents of the nearby buildings, the noise, dust, and diversions have brought new challenges. Even more pressing is the issue of accessibility, especially for patients travelling to hospitals in Parel, one of Mumbai’s medical hubs, which has more than five major hospitals. 

The city, however, is not erasing the bridge without a plan. In its place will rise a modern double-deck structure. The lower level will serve local east-west traffic, while the upper deck will link into the ambitious Sewri-Worli Connector, integrating with sea links and expressways that promise to reduce travel time across Mumbai. Wider lanes, better pedestrian access, and stronger design standards are expected to replace the creaking old girders. If completed on time, this new bridge could redefine connectivity for central Mumbai.

Balancing Nostalgia with Necessity

The demolition of Elphinstone Bridge is a bittersweet reminder of Mumbai’s nature, forever balancing between memory and necessity. On one hand, the city is losing a piece of its past, a structure that silently bore witness to more than a century of change. On the other hand, the city cannot afford to cling to nostalgia when lives and safety are at stake. The real test now lies in how smoothly authorities can manage the transition, minimise hardship for citizens, and deliver on the promise of a stronger, faster, safer bridge.