Despite earlier assurances that the historic elements of the century-old Elphinstone bridge would be carefully preserved, the original stone plaque bearing the 1913 date and builder’s details has been damaged during demolition work. The plaque — inscribed with “Parel Bridge-GIPR-1913-Contractor Bomanji Rustomji” and “P & W Maclellan Ltd., Clutha Works, GIPR, Glasgow” — was one of the last surviving artefacts linking the bridge to Mumbai’s early 20th-century railway heritage.

Officials had previously stated that the plaque would be safely removed and restored before dismantling began. However, on-site sources confirmed that the plate was struck and fractured by contractors’ machinery while demolishing the stone abutment. Heritage enthusiasts and local residents have expressed dismay, calling it a “careless loss of history” amid the rush to clear the structure for the new double-deck bridge project.