India, April 26 -- At around 8pm on Friday, four hours before personnel from the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) would set about closing the 125-year-old Elphinstone bridge to embark on the first phase of demolition, residents of 19 buildings flanking the flyover, turned up in full force protesting its closure. Following an over four-hour stand-off between MMRDA officials and the protestors, a little after midnight, the government's plan of demolition was suspended.

This was confirmed by Kalidas Kolambkar, MLA of Wadala constituency. He said: "The CM's office has instructed to stop the work till Monday, when a meeting will be held following which the final decision will be taken. The demolition plan is on hold fo...