Mumbai: The 112-year-old Elphinstone Road Road Over Bridge (ROB) in Prabhadevi, closed to traffic on Sep 12, will be rebuilt with a modern double-decker design by January 2027. The Maharashtra Rail Infrastructure Development Corporation (MRIDC/MahaRail), on behalf of the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA), will dismantle the ageing structure and construct a replacement that simultaneously spans both Central and Western Railway tracks.The Elphinstone ROB, built in 1913, was a crucial east–west connector for more than a century. Originally designed for a much smaller population, it was overwhelmed by the traffic demands of modern Mumbai. Cracks and corrosion finally forced its closure last week.Estimated to cost Rs 167.35 crore, the bridge will use open web girders for the railway portion. Once complete, it will not only ease congestion in Parel–Prabhadevi, but also play a strategic role in Mumbai’s transport network by integrating local roads with regional express corridors.Demolition of the existing bridge is expected to be completed by Dec this year. MRIDC will execute the most critical portion—the span directly above the railway lines—using two 800-metric-tonne cranes. The dismantling will be done in phases to ensure suburban train services on both Central and Western Railway remain unaffected.A number of materials of public-related utilities like cables, wires, ducts, etc., are passing through this bridge.The new ROB’s lower deck will provide 2+2 lanes and a footpath for local east–west traffic. Its upper deck will form a key stretch of the Sewri–Worli Connector, linking central and south Mumbai directly with the Eastern Freeway, Navi Mumbai, and the upcoming international airport via the Atal Setu (Mumbai Trans Harbour Link).“This will be Mumbai’s first double-decker bridge across railway lines, blending innovation, safety, and efficiency,” said Rajesh Kumar Jaiswal, Managing Director of MRIDC.A senior source added that the project will move swiftly once the foundation work begins. “The ROB is expected to be constructed within a year of receiving all approvals. Most clearances are already in place, and the design is approved,” the source said.The demolition of these historic bridges began nearly a decade ago, starting with the Hancock Bridge in 2016. Since then, several major structures have been dismantled, including the Delisle Bridge (Lower Parel), post-independence Gokhale Bridge (Andheri), Carnac Bridge (CSMT-Masjid), Reay Road Bridge, Bellasis Bridge (Mumbai Central), and the Sion Road Overbridge.
