Parel bridge revamp creates panic

While the city welcomes the New Year with gaiety, over 1,000-odd families residing in Elphinstone Road and Parel are reeling under the fear of becoming homeless.

The Western Railway, along with the Brihanmumbai Mumbai Corporation (BMC) have decided to replace the century-old Elphinstone bridge, also known as Karol Bridge, which passes over both central and western  railway stations.

With the new cable-stayed bridge coming up in its place, over 12 residential buildings in the vicinity will be mowed down, the residents fear. On Thursday, they issued a letter of ultimatum to municipal commissioner Swadheen Kshatriya to either stall the work or explain the entire project to them.

“The authorities want to build a 70m-wide bridge but what about us? We fear that we will be served a months’ notice and will be thrown in the outskirts in some rehabilitation homes,” said Pramod Nikharge, secretary of Elphinstone Road Nagrik Seva Samiti. Residents claim that the existent width of the bridge is only 12 metres.

BMC officials say the work is slated to begin by January. A consultant has been appointed and soon tenders will be awarded. Meanwhile, ambiguity looms over the 14-crore project.

Officials from the roads and the bridges department of the BMC claim that they are unaware of any such bridge coming up in the near future. While the assistant municipal commissioner of G-south ward Narayan Pai also stated there no such plans in his knowledge.

However, residents allege that letters have been issued to the roads department and ward officials but they are keeping the plans under wraps.