Mumbai, Nov. 15 -- The demolition of the remaining portion of the British-era Elphinstone Bridge may finally begin next week, with Western Railway (WR) expected to give a go-ahead despite its ongoing dispute with the Maharashtra Rail Infrastructure Development Corporation (MRIDC) over way-leave charges, officials said. A team comprising WR and MRIDC officials visited the demolition site on Friday afternoon as part of preparatory works to dismantle the western side of the bridge, which falls under WR's jurisdiction. The 112-year-old bridge was shut to traffic on September 12, after which its approach roads were razed. With the debris now cleared, cranes can be deployed to dismantle the remaining 132-metre stretch that passes above the railway tracks. However, as HT reported in October, this work has been stalled due to MRIDC and WR being at loggerheads over way-leave charges-fees for using railway land-for demolishing the bridge and building the Sewri-Worli Elevated Corridor. While Central Railway (CR) had sought Rs.10 crore as way-leave charges, WR demanded a significantly higher Rs.59.14 crore. While negotiations continued, MRIDC began demolishing the eastern side of the bridge, which falls under CR's jurisdiction. However, WR is expected to give its nod soon, officials said. "We are in the final stages of processing their request. Notwithstanding the difference of opinion on way-leave charges, we are likely to issue a go-ahead sometime next week," a senior WR official, requesting anonymity. "A consensus can be arrived at on the amount even as the works are underway. This will not affect the project's timelines." MRIDC's spokesperson said that demolition has commenced from the eastern side of the bridge and will progress as planned. Meanwhile, a team from VJTI has been appointed to monitor the structural health of decades-old buildings near the site, where piling work is going on. On Friday, the team installed equipment to study the effect of vibrations on the buildings, a day after residents flagged concerns. The team recommended preventive measures during pile boring, including reducing the RPM of the rig machine, keeping noise level low while removing mud from the auger and monitoring vibration during pile boring. The Elphinstone Bridge, which linked the congested Parel and Prabhadevi areas, is being razed to make way for the Sewri-Worli Elevated Corridor, a key east-west connector being built by the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA). MRIDC, a joint venture between the Maharashtra government and the Ministry of Railways, is responsible for demolishing and rebuilding the section passing over the railway lines....