Activist Urges MMRDA to Compensate Tenants Before Prabhadevi ROB Demolition Begins

Mumbai, July 2025 — Civic activist Kamlakar Shenoy has raised strong objections to the planned demolition of the Prabhadevi Railway Overbridge (ROB)—formerly known as Elphinstone bridge—by the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA). Shenoy insists that no demolition should take place until the tenants of affected buildings receive market-value compensation or are shifted to transit accommodations.

On Friday, Shenoy filed a Right to Information (RTI) application at the MMRDA office, questioning the authority’s readiness to manage the displacement of residents that the infrastructure project could trigger.

“Tenants must be compensated at market value or given alternative transit accommodation before the demolition. Otherwise, this will end up like the Hancock and Carnac bridge demolitions, which caused immense hardship to residents,” Shenoy said.
 

The Larger Picture: Sewri-Worli Connector and Prabhadevi ROB
 

The proposed demolition is part of the Sewri-Worli Elevated Connector project, a 4.5-kilometre double-decker bridge that aims to improve traffic connectivity between Navi Mumbai and South Mumbai. The Prabhadevi ROB needs to be dismantled to make way for the project, which will link the Atal Setu, Bandra-Worli Sea Link, and the Mumbai Coastal Road.

Once completed, this high-speed corridor promises signal-free access from Navi Mumbai to key parts of Central and South Mumbai, potentially reducing travel time by up to 45 minutes.

Rehabilitation Concerns and Legal Warning

Citing past experiences where demolition projects caused severe displacement and long-term suffering for tenants—like in the cases of the Hancock and Carnac bridge demolitions—Shenoy emphasized the importance of prior planning.

He warned that if the MMRDA fails to provide fair compensation or accommodation before initiating demolition, he would be compelled to pursue legal action, possibly under criminal law, to hold the authority accountable for any negligence.

RTI Filed to Ensure Transparency

The RTI submitted by Shenoy seeks detailed information on the following:

• MMRDA’s rehabilitation and compensation plan for affected tenants
• Criteria for determining compensation rates
• Whether ready reckoner rates are being used fairly
• Timeline and process of relocation or alternative housing
• Names of buildings and residents potentially impacted

The activist said he will make the responses public and continue monitoring the case to ensure transparency and justice for displaced residents.

MMRDA’s Proposed Plan and Project Modifications
 

MMRDA officials have stated that the compensation policy is being drafted based on ready reckoner rates for property valuation. They also plan to redevelop the impacted buildings post-demolition, although details are yet to be finalized.

Interestingly, while the initial blueprint of the Sewri-Worli Connector threatened 19 buildings, a revised alignment has brought that number down to just two buildings, significantly minimizing displacement.

However, Shenoy insists that even two buildings mean multiple families at risk, and every single tenant must be accounted for before any bulldozers roll in.


 

Awaiting Traffic Police Clearance
 

As of now, the demolition of Prabhadevi ROB is pending clearance from the traffic police, who are assessing the potential disruptions and safety protocols. Once clearance is granted, the MMRDA is expected to move swiftly.

Conclusion: Balancing Development with Responsibility

The Sewri-Worli Connector is undoubtedly a vital infrastructure project, promising long-term benefits to Mumbai’s traffic management system. But as civic voices like Kamlakar Shenoy remind us, development must never come at the cost of human displacement without due process.

As the city pushes toward modernization, the real test lies in how responsibly and inclusively authorities handle the social and human aspects of such transformation. The coming weeks will reveal whether the MMRDA listens to the warnings or repeats past mistakes.