262-98 / JT CP Traffic / objections and suggestion to close Elphinstone bridge / Elphinstone bridge folder and file
Date: 26.8.25
262-98 / JT CP Traffic / objections and suggestion to close Elphinstone bridge / Elphinstone bridge folder and file
To,
The Joint Commissioner of Police (Traffic),
Mumbai Police
Email: cp.mumbai.jtcp.traf@mahapolice.gov.in
CC:
1. Chief Engineer (Bridges), BMC - che.br@mcgm.gov.in
2. Chief Engineer (Roads), BMC - che.rt@mcgm.gov.in
3. Additional Municipal Commissioner (City), BMC - amc.city@mcgm.gov.in
4. Municipal Commissioner, BMC - mc@mcgm.gov.in
5. Metropolitan Commissioner, MMRDA - madhukar.kharat@mailmmrda.maharashtra.gov.in
6. Chief Engineer, MMRDA - chieftc@mailmmrda.maharashtra.gov.in
Subject: Objection to the Demolition of Prabhadevi Bridge – Without clearing the road widening part and providing the houses to the affected and completing the procedures to appoint contractor, consultants, order for procurement of materials and ensuring smooth delivery of all materials, all sanctions and permissions required till last so that the project is not delayed for want of any such permissions and NOC.
Respected Sir,
1. The proposed demolition of Prabhadevi (Elphinstone) Bridge amounts to fraud and arbitrary decision-making, repeating the same failures witnessed in the case of Hancock Bridge, which even after 10 years remains incomplete as well as Sion, Bellasis, Carnac, Vakola, Vikhroli bridges only because:
a. The obstructing legal buildings were not demolished, and
b. The legal occupants were not provided permanent accommodation within the same area, or compensation at market price to purchase a similar house.
c. There has been a complete failure to appoint contractors and consultants, create necessary infrastructure for construction of the bridge, place orders for required structures, prepare General Arrangement Drawings (GAD) in time (which were either not prepared or were prepared and later delayed for approval), and several such procedural lapses which were not planned in advance, including the removal and reallocation of underground utilities, facilities of regulatory authorities, and the removal of illegal hawkers and other obstructions on the road as required for obtaining Traffic Police NOC.
2. Our elected representatives have consistently failed to discharge their duty as well as to protect the citizens from illegal acts of politicians as well bureaucrats in almost every matter relating to bridge demolitions and reconstructions.
3. The MMRDA has failed in the following respects:
a. Not providing any details of rehabilitation of affected citizens.
b. Not providing the structural report declaring the bridge beyond repair.
c. Not providing the structural audit report, real-time structural health monitoring report, or the six-monthly structural audit stability reports.
d. Not disclosing staff strength to prove their technical capacity to complete the project.
e. Most bridges constructed by MMRDA are of substandard and poor quality.
f. To escape accountability, MMRDA hands over such defective bridges to BMC, which then bears the repair and maintenance burden at taxpayer’s cost.
g. MMRDA has not obtained or shown the written consent of BMC regarding its readiness, infrastructure, and staff capacity to manage a bridge at the height of 10 floors.
h. While handing over bridges, no inspection report was taken on record to avoid exposing the substandard work of MMRDA and other agencies, which proves they lack competency, capability, requisite staff, and expertise.
4. Despite these deficiencies, MMRDA is proceeding to demolish the bridge, causing hardship to the common man and harassment to citizens, without application of mind and without taking citizens into confidence, which requires to be opposed tooth and nail.
5. I hereby place on record that:
a. I shall be assisting and ready for a meeting with the JT CP (Traffic) to request that the demolition of Prabhadevi Bridge be stopped until the road-widening procedure is completed and all the preparedness mentioned in para 1 and 3 herein above is fully ensured.
b. The legally occupied residents of the affected buildings must first be granted permanent houses before demolition can lawfully proceed.
c. The Hon’ble JT CP (Traffic) must not believe the assurances of the Commissioners of BMC and MMRDA without independently verifying all documents and taking into confidence the affected citizens.
d. As per law and duty, the JT CP (Traffic) is duty-bound to act in larger public interest and not to assist in carrying out wrongful and arbitrary decisions of the so-called competent authorities, which are directly causing hardship to citizens and the public at large.
6. Citizens are requested to challenge such illegal activities and demand transparency from the responsible authorities.
7. If any submission herein is factually incorrect, I remain open to correction with valid evidence.
Additional Information of being habitual negligent and irresponsible :
The following bridges are also victim of such failures of the competent authority and their irresponsible , insensible and negligence to similar issues:
- Carnac Bridge
- Delisle Road Bridge
- Sion Bridge
- Vikhroli Bridge
- Vakola Bridge
These bridges have faced delays and substandard construction, leading to public inconvenience. It is imperative that the authorities address these issues promptly to ensure public safety and convenience.
Date: 26.08.2025
Yours faithfully,
Kamlakar Shenoy
Gaurang R Vora
Chetan Trivedi
Zuhair QZ
Petition Group
Neeraj Pattath