The demolition and reconstruction of the Bandra–Dharavi bridge on the Mithi river will finally commence, as the BMC's seven-year-long wait to get all the necessary permissions, including crucial approval from the forest department, to go ahead with the project was received last week. Moreover, to ensure there is no traffic disruption or diversion, the bridge will be pulled down only after the construction of two parallel extended arms.

The 28-metre-wide bridge that runs by Dharavi and over the Mithi River is said to be a crucial link between south Mumbai and the northern suburbs. Civic officials said the bridge, said to be over 50 years old, was in bad shape due to wear and tear. "The reconstruction of the bridge was proposed in 2012. But due to litigation, the project never took off," said a senior civic official. With the disputes being finally resolved and the civic administration getting all the necessary approvals — from the environment clearance certificate for mangroves to other permissions from the forest department — the reconstruction is set to commence anytime soon.