Overview

• Residents from 19 buildings adjacent to the Elphinstone Bridge staged a four-hour protest on Friday night, halting initial demolition efforts.
• Protesters raised concerns over inadequate relocation plans, with no clear details on alternative housing or fair compensation.
• The Chief Minister’s office has suspended demolition work until a meeting on Monday to address residents’ demands for local rehousing and fair market-value compensation.
• Parents and commuters warned of significant travel disruptions, with school commutes expected to increase from 10 minutes to over an hour due to bridge closure and inadequate alternate routes.
• Traffic authorities have prepared diversion plans and additional personnel to manage congestion, though residents remain skeptical of their effectiveness.