The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has unveiled a massive ₹500 crore plan to revamp and beautify the historic Shri Siddhivinayak Temple complex in Prabhadevi, triggering a wave of criticism from local activists who argue that the project represents a misuse of taxpayer funds.
The ambitious project, set to unfold over five phases, has been positioned as a modernisation effort, yet many believe it primarily serves the interests of the temple trust rather than the local community. The project is slated to begin on September 7, with a foundation stone-laying ceremony led by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. A global tender has already been issued by the BMC, covering various aspects of the temple’s beautification and the development of the surrounding areas. According to a senior BMC official, a consultant has been engaged to prepare a Detailed Project Report (DPR) that will outline the expenditure for each phase of the development.
However, this large-scale initiative has sparked significant opposition, particularly from local activists who are questioning both the intention and the necessity of the project. An activist associated with the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS), has voiced concerns over the temple trust’s growing influence in the area, alleging that the trust is attempting to expand its control over adjacent plots, including Sambhaji Park. This park was nearly converted into an underground parking lot for temple visitors and VIP vehicles, a move that would have stripped local children of a vital recreational space.
He further lamented the loss of other public spaces in the area, citing the ongoing construction at Sane Guruji Udyan, a once-popular spot for students and senior citizens. “This development is clearly not in the best interests of Prabhadevi residents. The expenditure of taxpayer money on a project that mainly benefits the temple trust rather than the community is questionable, raising concerns of potential corruption,” he stated.
The lack of transparency In the project has also drawn criticism from within the temple’s administration. A trustee of the Siddhivinayak Temple, who is also a former Dadar corporator, expressed unease over the opaque nature of the project’s planning. The trustee highlighted that the beautification initiative was never requested by the temple trust and emphasised that the focus should be on improving the internal temple space, particularly the congested sanctum sanctorum (Gabhara), rather than on external beautification efforts.
Despite these concerns, the BMC remains committed to the project, asserting that it will modernise the area surrounding the centuries-old temple. Planned upgrades include the construction of new entrances, expanded footpaths, and the introduction of modern facilities. Nevertheless, there are lingering doubts about the durability of the materials to be used, especially given the subpar condition of other recent beautification projects in Mumbai. An executive officer from the Siddhivinayak Temple Trust clarified that the trust was not involved in the planning or survey stages of the project, stating that the BMC conducted the survey independently and created the project report without consulting the temple administration.
Earlier, Chief Minister Eknath Shinde announced that the temple would undergo a transformation akin to the Mahakal Temple, with a completion timeline of five years. The proposed changes include a two-way entry system, expanded roads, and upgraded footpaths to accommodate the growing number of visitors to the temple.
