Top officials of the Mumbai traffic department have confirmed that the Elphinstone bridge in Mumbai will be shut for traffic from September 10.

Sharing details with mid-day, a senior traffic department official said, "After much discussion, all concerned departments unanimously stated that the closure and redevelopment of the bridge on an urgent basis is necessary and that it needs to be demolished at the earliest."

He further stated that, considering the huge crowds that will need to commute during the upcoming Ganesh Festival, the closure of the bridge has been scheduled three days after Anant Chaturdashi -- that is, after the last day of idol immersion.