Mumbai News: MMRDA To Redevelop 19 Buildings Near Elphinstone Bridge Amid Resident Concerns Over Compensation And Displacement

Mumbai: In a key development, the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) has been tasked with redeveloping 19 buildings affected by the Elphinstone Bridge project, with assurances that residents will be provided new homes at the same location.

The decision was confirmed by Minister Adv. Ashish Shelar following a high-level meeting chaired by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde at the Sahyadri Guest House on Monday.

The meeting was also attended by Chief Secretary Sujata Saunik, MMRDA Commissioner Sanjay Mukherjee, BMC Commissioner Bhushan Gagrani, MHADA CEO Sanjeev Jaiswal, and MSRDC Vice-Chairman and MD Anilkumar Gaikwad.

Local MLA Kalidas Kolambkar and a delegation of residents had previously submitted suggestions, prompting the government to expedite the redevelopment process through MMRDA under Section 33(9) instead of waiting for private developers.

While the move is aimed at speeding up redevelopment and ensuring minimal displacement, it has drawn criticism from local leaders. Former Shiv Sena (Uddhav Thackeray faction) corporator from Sewri, Sachin Padwal, raised concern over the inclusion of all 19 buildings in the plan, stating that the revised design now impacts only two structures. “How can 17 other buildings be part of the redevelopment when the updated plan only affects two?” Padwal questioned adding that these 17 building residents may show resistance.

In addition, Padwal flagged concerns over MMRDA's financial compensation policy for project affected people. In Sewri around 115 slum dwellers are impacted about 90% are reportedly eligible for Rs 25 lakh compensation, while others may receive between Rs 30 lakh to Rs 40 lakh.

“In today’s real estate market, buying a home in Mumbai for Rs 25 lakh is virtually impossible,” he said, adding that the community is opposing the compensation plan and will raise the issue in a meeting scheduled with the local MLA and MMRDA on Tuesday.

The redevelopment is linked to the ongoing construction of the 4.5-km-long Sewri-Worli Elevated Connector, a vital infrastructure project aimed at dispersing traffic from the Atal Setu. As part of the project, railway overbridges (ROBs) will be constructed at two key points: across the Harbour Line at Sewri and across the Central and Western railway lines at Prabhadevi (formerly Elphinstone Road).

The existing Prabhadevi ROB — a century-old, 13-metre-wide structure with only 1.5 lanes in each direction — will be dismantled and replaced by a modern double-decker bridge to accommodate higher traffic volumes.

Once completed, the elevated corridor will seamlessly connect Atal Setu with the Bandra-Worli Sea Link and the Mumbai Coastal Road Project, offering signal-free access to South and Central Mumbai from Navi Mumbai and cutting down commute times significantly.