As the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) remains undecided on whether to commence the demolition and redevelopment of Elphinstone bridge today, uncertainty continues to grip affected Parel residents. Despite earlier indications from the city’s traffic department about the bridge’s impending closure, the final decision from MMRDA is still awaited, even on the very day the department said it would close the bridge.

The Elphinstone bridge, a crucial arterial link connecting Parel and Elphinstone Road, has been marked for redevelopment due to its deteriorating structural condition. The plan to demolish the existing structure and replace it with a new, modern two-layered bridge was set in motion with a formal notification for closure issued in April. Months later, authorities have yet to initiate on-ground work due to pending rehabilitation arrangements for to-be-affected residents of Lakshmi Niwas and Haaji Noorani, two of the 19 buildings expected to be affected.