The new Elphinstone bridge in Prabhadevi and the Sewri-Worli Connector will not be ready by the September deadline as planned. The project is now expected to be completed in January or February 2027. Many issues have reportedly delayed the work, including a slower-than-expected demolition process, unexpected civic utility work, a shortage of workers and the ongoing monsoon.
The 112-year-old Elphinstone Bridge was closed to traffic on September 12, 2025 to make way for a new double-decker structure. The lower deck will replace the existing Elphinstone bridge, while the upper deck will become part of the 4.5-km Sewri-Worli Connector.
After the bridge was closed, work began to demolish the old stone structure and dismantle the railway sections. But this phase took longer than expected. Railway officials could not provide the required railway blocks on time, causing the demolition to finish around April, nearly a month behind schedule.
Construction has now entered the stage of assembling and launching the bridge's girder over the railway tracks. As per reports, temporary structures have already been installed on both sides of the tracks to support the launch of the girder.
The main girder is being assembled at the construction site. Reports suggest that assembling the girder will take around 90 days. Once the assembly is complete, sliding the girder into its final position over the railway tracks will take about a week.
As per a report by Indian Express, MRIDC officials said the railway section of the bridge is expected to be completed by November. Once that is finished, the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) and its contractor, J Kumar, will begin connecting the railway section with the remaining non-railway portions of the Sewri Worli Connector.
Work on other parts of the connector has also faced challenges. Before the monsoon, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) wrote to the MMRDA, raising concerns over excavation and piling work. The civic body said the construction had caused siltation and damaged sewage lines.
The BMC also asked the MMRDA to remove scaffolding that was blocking footpaths. Residents had also complained that the construction was creating air pollution in the area. Now, construction work has continued during the night. The project has also been affected by a shortage of workers. Additional workers will be recruited to speed up construction.
Most of the remaining construction is expected to be completed by December. The final works will continue into early 2027. Once opened, the connector will improve east-west connectivity by linking Mumbai's eastern side and the Atal Setu with the city's western coast.