Shree Siddhivinayak Temple Beautification Project: BMC Allocates ₹493 Crore, Appoints Consultant For DPR

Mumbai: The BMC has appointed an architectural consultant to create a Detailed Project Report (DPR) for upgrading the precincts of the Shree Siddhivinayak Temple in Prabhadevi. The beautification project aims to improve the temple's infrastructure and enhance facilities for devotees.

The consultant will be tasked with applying for necessary permissions, following up to secure approvals and drafting tender documents. An allocation of Rs 493 crores has been set aside for this ambitious project.

In February 2024, the civic body invited Expressions of Interest for the project. The contract has been now awarded to M/s. Engineer Studio Pvt. Ltd. As part of their responsibilities, the consultant will conduct a thorough survey of the site, obtain updated ownership documents, and measure existing structures to prepare a construction plan in alignment with the requirements of the Shree Siddhivinayak Temple Trust.

Furthermore, they will coordinate with municipal departments to gather feedback, obtain a no-objection certificate from relevant authorities, and prepare conceptual designs for final approval.

The consultant will also oversee the project’s regulatory processes, ensuring all necessary approvals are secured from municipal, state, and central authorities. Additional tasks include preparing detailed cost estimates, drafting tender documents, advising on the appointment of contractors, monitoring the project’s daily progress, and verifying contractor payments.

The project is expected to be completed in approximately 24 months after receiving the required permissions. The consultant will paid a fee of Rs 3.55 crores for their services.

The two-century-old temple is always crowded by devotees who come to worship Lord Ganesha. However, the entry gate of the temple gets crowded due to flower vendors and stall owners on Rao Bahadur S K Bole Road.

To address this, the BMC has planned to relocate the vendors to Kakasaheb Gadgil Road and establish separate entry and exit points to streamline visitor movement. The project will also focus on expanding surrounding roads, improving traffic flow, and creating a safer, more efficient experience for devotees.

Additional features will include implementing a state-of-the-art crowd management system and providing essential amenities such as ample parking, clean drinking water, accessible washrooms, temporary seating arrangements for the specially-abled, pregnant women, and senior citizens, as well as shelters for devotees waiting in queues.