Siddhivinayak Temple 'Riddhi' Gate Work Halted After Resident Protests
Construction of a new 'Riddhi' gate and shaded areas at the Shree Siddhivinayak Temple has been halted following objections and a Sunday protest by residents along Kakasaheb Gadgil Marg in Mumbai.
Residents from buildings including 'Kamna', 'Jai Bharat', and 'Shiv Chaya' raised concerns over road barricading affecting traffic and pedestrian movement, as well as potential obstructions for students of the nearby Convent Girls' High School. Under the current plans, general pilgrim entry would be shifted exclusively to the 'Riddhi' gate, while the existing entrance on Veer Savarkar Marg, featuring the 'Siddhi' gate, would be reserved for VIP devotees.
The two gates form part of a Rs 500-crore redevelopment project being implemented with a BMC grant on the lines of Ujjain's Mahakal Lok Corridor. Residents maintained that they do not oppose the beautification project itself, but rather the concentration of pilgrim crowds onto Kakasaheb Gadgil Marg.
Residents have also accused former Shiv Sena corporator Samadhan Sarvankar of communalising what they describe as a civic and traffic issue. Sarvankar, son of Siddhivinayak Temple Trust chairman Sadanand Sarvankar, had alleged that the school initiated a signature campaign among parents against the work. He also posted on social media questioning the legality of a crucifix at the nearby Holy Cross chapel, which had been restored after being temporarily shifted during Metro Line 3 station construction.
Local Christian community members stated that records establish the legality of the decades-old crucifix. Residents noted that the broader neighbourhood opposes the project's traffic impact and criticised attempts to frame the dispute along religious lines.
Temple Trust chairman and former MLA Sadanand Sarvankar stated that the municipal corporation is executing the project and alleged that efforts were being made to defame the temple.
Yogesh Desai, Assistant Municipal Commissioner of G (South) ward, said he will convene a meeting involving the police, political representatives, and local residents to resolve the dispute and address the traffic and school access concerns.
