Daijiworld Media Network - Mumbai

Mumbai, Jan 31: Commuters in Mumbai are set to face significant traffic snarls as the Prabhadevi Bridge, commonly known as Elphinstone Bridge, will be closed for reconstruction starting in February. The bridge, a crucial link between Dr Ambedkar Road and Senapati Bapat Road, will undergo a complete overhaul, a project expected to take over two years.

Authorities have scheduled the dismantling process to begin on February 2, pending final confirmation. Efforts are being made to minimize disruptions for students as traffic officials review local exam schedules. The new structure will feature a two-tier design, with the lower deck maintaining its east-west connectivity and the upper deck providing direct access to the Sewri-Nhava Sheva Atal Setu. Additionally, a 4.5-kilometer elevated road will connect Atal Setu to Worli, ensuring a smoother commute to South Mumbai and Bandra.

With the closure in place, alternative routes such as Tilak Bridge in Dadar and the recently reopened Delisle Road Bridge in Lower Parel will bear the brunt of the diverted traffic, further intensifying congestion in the city. The situation is compounded by the ongoing closure of the Sion Bridge, leaving commuters with limited options.

The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA), in collaboration with the Maharashtra Rail Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (MahaRail), is spearheading the project. Officials have submitted proposals, but clearances from the traffic police and Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) are still awaited. Authorities also highlight the need to address local encroachments to facilitate construction, ensuring the foundation work proceeds without hindrance.