India, Feb. 20 -- The state government and the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) have directed the Maharashtra Rail Infrastructure Development Corporation (MRIDC) to complete work on the lower deck of the double decker road over bridge (ROB) that will replace the British-era Elphinstone bridge by April this year, officials familiar with the matter told Hindustan Times.

"Deputy chief minister Eknath Shinde, who is also the chairman of MMRDA, recently met MRIDC officials and directed them to expedite work on the bridge, so that the lower deck is ready by April and the upper deck by September," a senior MMRDA official said, requesting not to be identified.

The MRIDC is currently pulling down the portion of the centur...