The traffic police did not shut the Elphinstone Bridge on April 10 as per their last announcement. They have decided to wait for suggestions from the public, which they can email to addlep.traffic@mahapolice.gov by April 13. The officials said that the decision to close this 125-year-old bridge would be taken sometime next week after considering what people have to say. The authorities said that it is the first time they are asking for suggestions and objections from the public before closing a bridge. He said that based on the feedback, they will take a final call next week.
Mumbai Traffic Police had issued a notification regarding the bridge closure and traffic diversions on April 8. In the draft of the notification, they proposed closing the Elphinstone Bridge for two years to move ahead with the construction of the Sewri-Worli Corridor.
One of the most important things to do before the city experiences the monsoon season is to demolish this old ROB. This is done to build a 4.5-kilometer Elevated Connector that connects Sewri and Worli. The purpose of this road is to disperse traffic for the Mumbai section of the Atal Setu. Atal Setu will also be connected to the Bandra Worli Sea Link and the Mumbai Coastal Road. It will provide commuters travelling between Navi Mumbai and South & Central Mumbai with a signal-free route and save time for travel.
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Once the bridge closes, to prevent danger, obstruction, and inconvenience to the public, the following traffic diversions and arrangements will be made by the authorities for the public as per the draft notification:
- To get to the location via Tilak Bridge, vehicles would turn right from Madke Buwa Chowk (Parel T Junction), travel Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Road, and turn left from Khodadad Circle (Dadar TT Junction).
- Vehicles would travel straight through Krishna Nagar Junction, Parel Workshop, Supari Bagh Junction, and Bharat Mata Junction after leaving Madke Buwa Chowk (Parel T.T. Junction) via Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Road. To get to Lower Parel Bridge, turn right from Shingte Master Chowk, cross the Currey Road Railway Bridge, and then turn right onto Mahadev Palav Road.
- From Khodadad Circle (Dadar TT Junction), vehicles will turn right. They will then proceed to Tilak Bridge via Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Road.
- In order to get to the location via Mahadev Palav Road and Currey Road Railway Bridge, vehicles will travel directly from Sant Rohidas Chowk (Elphinstone Junction), turn left at Wadacha Naka Junction, cross Lower Parel Bridge, and turn left at Shingte Master Chowk.
- To go to Shingte Master Chowk, vehicles will drive directly from Sant Rohidas Chowk (Elphinstone Junction), turn left at Wadacha Naka Junction, and then continue over Lower Parel Bridge. After that, cars will turn left onto Mahadev Palav Road and travel to Bharat Mata Junction via the Currey Road Railway Bridge.
- From Comrade Krishna Desai Chowk (Bharat Mata Junction) to Shingte Master Chowk, Mahadev Palav Road (Currey Road Railway Bridge) will be open in one direction from 7:00 to 15:00 and in the opposite direction from 15:00 to 23:00. The road will be open in both directions from 23:00 to 7:00.