While food vendors and small eateries are reeling under losses, cobblers and tyre repair shops are witnessing a surprising uptick in business
Pic/Ashish Raje
The complete demolition of the iconic Elphinstone bridge has left an uneven trail of impact — not just on traffic, but also on the livelihoods of those who thrived around it. While food vendors and small eateries are reeling under losses, cobblers and tyre repair shops are witnessing a surprising uptick in business.
Food vendors feel the pinch
“The demolition has hit our business by nearly 20 per cent,” said Shankar Shetty, manager of Prarthana Hotel. “Earlier, people from nearby offices and passersby would stop here for snacks, lunch, and dinner. The hotel used to be packed during lunch hours. Now, with the road blocked and dust everywhere, footfall has dropped sharply. Our daily billing is down by 10–20 per cent already, and once railway commuters are diverted, it’ll only get worse.”
Ashok Kumar Saket, who repairs footwear near the bridge
Small eateries, juice centres, and roadside stalls around the bridge have all reported similar losses. Heavy machinery, barricades, and constant noise have made the area uninviting for customers. Kamini Thakur, who runs a vada pav stall, said business nosedived the moment demolition picked up speed. “First, the bridge was shut, then they dug up the road. Now no one wants to come here. I used to make Rs 3000 a day — now I barely make Rs 1200. Only one nearby office still has a back entry open, and those few customers are what’s keeping me afloat. But I’ve lost my regulars. Feels like I need a Plan B now,” she said.
Shankar Shetty, manager of Prarthana Hotel, says customers have reduced
Most vendors here operate informally, without licenses or official permissions, making them highly vulnerable during civic projects. Relocation isn’t an option either, since their earnings depend entirely on local foot traffic. “I run a sugarcane juice stall,” said another vendor. “With all the dust from the demolition, people just don’t want to stop here anymore.
Kamini Thakur, whose vada pav stall has been suffering since the razing of Elphinstone bridge picked up speed. Pic/Ashish Raje
However much I clean, the dust comes back. I would get at least 50-70 customers daily, which would fetch me a good Rs 1800 to Rs 2000 per day. But now I barely see 20 to 30 customers, and thus the income has gone down. This way, soon I'll be forced to move to a different location, which again will lead to managing authorities and setting up costs.”
Some gain from the chaos
Interestingly, a few others have seen their fortunes improve amid the dust and dbris. Tyre repair shops andcobblers near the bridge report a steady rise in customers. Mahesh Kumar, who runs a small garage, said, “I’m seeing more punctured tyres than ever before — almost every puncture lately has been caused by small, sharp stones from the broken road. I wouldn’t say business is booming, but I’m definitely getting more walk-ins.”
Cobblers are also seeing more business from pedestrians navigating the debris-filled lanes. “The bridge is still open for people on foot, and the service road is rough and full of rubble. Shoes and slippers tear easily,” said Ashok Kumar Saket, who has repaired footwear near the bridge for over a decade. “I’m earning at least Rs 100 more every day now.”
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