Elphinstone Bridge, officially known as the Elphinstone Road Overbridge (ROB), was a historic 113-year-old bridge in Mumbai. Built in 1913, it was one of the oldest road-over-rail bridges in the city, connecting Parel with Prabhadevi / Elphinstone Road (now renamed as Prabhadevi).
The bridge gained national attention after the tragic stampede on 29 September 2017, which claimed 23 lives. Following the incident, it underwent major safety upgrades. However, due to structural concerns and the need for modern infrastructure, the 112-year-old bridge was fully dismantled in April 2026 to make way for a new, wider, and stronger double-decker connector.
Elphinstone Bridge Location
The bridge was located over the Central Railway tracks, linking the eastern and western parts of South-Central Mumbai.
- Address: Elphinstone Road Overbridge, Parel – Prabhadevi, Mumbai, Maharashtra
- PIN Code: 400012 (Parel side) / 400025 (Prabhadevi side)
- Length: Approx. 130–132 metres
- Built: 1913 by Great Indian Peninsula Railway (GIPR)
- Demolished: April 2026
How to Reach Elphinstone Bridge Area
| From | Distance | Approx. Time | Best Options |
| Parel Railway Station | 500 metres – 1 km | 5–10 minutes | Walking / Auto |
| Prabhadevi / Elphinstone Road Station | Adjacent | 2–5 minutes | Walking |
| Lower Parel | 2–3 km | 8–15 minutes | Cab / Auto |
| Dadar Railway Station | 3–4 km | 10–20 minutes | Cab / Bus |
| Mumbai Central | 6–8 km | 20–30 minutes | Cab |
| Bandra-Worli Sea Link | 8–10 km | 20–35 minutes | Via Western Express Highway |
Current Status (as of 2026)
- The old historic Elphinstone Bridge has been completely demolished.
- A new, modern double-decker bridge is under construction at the same location to improve east-west connectivity and ease heavy traffic between Parel and Prabhadevi.
- The area remains a major junction with excellent local train connectivity on the Western and Central lines.
Nearby Areas and Landmarks
| Landmark / Area | Distance | Description |
| Prabhadevi Temple | 1–2 km | Ancient temple dedicated to Goddess Prabhadevi. |
| Siddhivinayak Temple | 2–3 km | One of Mumbai’s most famous Ganesh temples. |
| Phoenix Mall (Lower Parel) | 3–4 km | Premium shopping and entertainment destination. |
| Parel Industrial Area | Adjacent | Former textile mill district, now a mix of residential and commercial. |
| Worli Sea Face | 5–6 km | Scenic seafront promenade. |
| Mahalaxmi Race Course | 4–5 km | Historic racecourse. |
Significance
For over a century, the Elphinstone Bridge stood as a silent witness to Mumbai’s transformation from an industrial mill city to a modern metropolis. Though the original structure has been dismantled, its memory lives on through preserved basalt stones that will be used to create a miniature replica. The new bridge being constructed will carry forward its legacy with improved safety and capacity.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. Why was the Elphinstone Bridge demolished?
A. The 113-year-old bridge was dismantled in April 2026 due to structural safety concerns and to construct a new, wider double-decker bridge.
Q2. When was the Elphinstone Bridge built?
A. It was constructed in 1913 during the British era.
Q3. What happened at Elphinstone Bridge in 2017?
A. A tragic stampede occurred on the footbridge on 29 September 2017, resulting in 23 deaths.
Q4. Is the new bridge ready?
A. The new double-decker bridge is under construction and expected to be completed in the coming years.
Q5. How to travel between Parel and Prabhadevi now?
A. Commuters are using alternate routes and the local railway network (Parel & Prabhadevi stations) while the new bridge is being built.
