Mumbai's '10-storey high' bridge between Worli-Sewri to displace hundreds
Mumbai is getting a new 'sckyscraper bridge' - 32m high, the height of a 10-storey building - between Worli and Sewri. The 4.5km-long bridge connecting the Bandra-Worli sea link on one side to the Mumbai trans-harbour line on the other, will go above existing flyovers and the Monorail. However, scores of buildings and slums are proposed to be demolished, something that might trigger protests.
The project was planned in 2011
The project, on which work has begun, has been allocated Rs. 1,500cr. The aim is to complete it by mid-2022. Five agencies- the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), MMRDA, Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority, Mumbai Port Trust and Slum Rehabilitation Authority- will be involved in planning and execution. It was planned in 2011, but only moved after the MMRDA wrote to BMC about it.
The bridge will connect these locations
The corridor, beginning at Sewri interchange on MTHL at Parel, will run through Elphinstone, Drainage Channel Road and Prabhadevi, before turning towards Century Bhavan and landing near Sacred Heart Convent School. It will be double-decker between BA Ambedkar Road and Senapati Bapat Road, where it will bypass two flyovers and Elphinstone ROB. The overbridge above the railway tracks at Elphinstone Road will likely be demolished and rebuilt.
Project likely to face protests over rehabilitation of those affected
The project is likely to face opposition as buildings will be demolished and roads widened by several meters at Kamgar Nagar slums, BDD chawls in Worli, and Jagannath Bhatankar Road and Acharya Donde Road. Last month, BMC sent notices to several buildings likely to be affected, seeking suggestions and objections. A hearing will be held soon, authorities have said.
Various agencies in charge of rehabilitation in different areas
Different agencies are involved in rehabilitation. For the Kamla Nagar slums, the Slum Rehabilitation Authority will oversee rehabilitation in coordination with MMRDA. The Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority is in charge of rehabilitation of residents of BDD chawls. Pankaj Joshi, UDRI Director, said, "The state needs to come up with a holistic solution, such as beginning the bridge from an arterial road."
