The Maharashtra government has decided to commence the revamp of Siddhivinayak temple premises from next September during the Ganesh festival. On Tuesday, August 6, a review meeting was held where Chief Minister Eknath Shinde received design ideas for the renovation from two firms at the Sahyadri guesthouse in Mumbai.
During the meeting, it was revealed that INR 500 crore have been earmarked for the modifications. As per reports, the chief minister will conduct the groundbreaking ceremony on the 10th day of the festival. CM Shinde also focused on the urgency of the technical conditions needed to schedule the renovation for next month.
Bhushan Gagrani, the municipal commissioner, attended the meeting. Chief Minister's Additional Chief Secretary Dr. I.S. Chahal, former MP Rahul Shewale, Mumbai City District Guardian Minister Deepak Kesarkar, and MLA Sada Sarwankar were also present in the meeting.
The Chief Minister was shown a number of project elements. This included retail space, improved wait times for devotees, parking amenities, and a five-kilometre corridor encircling the temple. However, Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) sources stated that no inside work will be done on the temple.
During the renovations, Illegal structures will be demolished, and roads towards the temple will be widened. Hawkers who usually crowd the entrance will move to Kakasaheb Gadgil Road, nearby. New shoe racks, drinking fountains, and renovated restrooms will also be installed.
Additional improvements include new gates, signage, walkways, WiFi, and a CCTV system. The renovation will include better parking, seating facilities, and covered areas for devotees during the summer and monsoon seasons. Updated stalls for puja goods and flowers will be provided to 98 stallholders. More CCTV cameras will be installed to improve security for both foreign and domestic tourists.
The Siddhivinayak temple committee is led by Shiv Sena MLA Sada Sarvankar. Sarvankar also demanded a parking space for devotees. In response, Gagrani mentioned the presence of a parking tower seven minutes from the temple.
Previously, members also proposed constructing multi-level waiting areas and reclaiming a structure on the temple property. The state law and judicial ministries, which oversee the trust, had endorsed the idea to dismantle the structure and install waiting areas.
Last week, Sarvankar also asked for a minibus shuttle service to transport pilgrims from the temple to Dadar station. Some Shiv Sena (UBT) trustees noted that BEST, facing financial difficulties, will not bear the cost. Metro 3 will also link the temple with the island city and western suburbs, improving accessibility. The station is located in the Nardulla Tank Maidan.
Siddhivinayak Temple is an important place of worship in Mumbai. Tuesdays, Vinayaki Chaturthi, and Sankashti are known to draw pilgrims to the 200-year-old temple.
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