1 week ago
Siddhivinayak Gate Project Halted Amid Mumbai Traffic Row
A temple in Mumbai is building a new entrance called the Riddhi gate.
The building work has temporarily stopped because nearby residents are worried about traffic and crowded sidewalks.
They are also concerned that students at a nearby girls’ school may have trouble getting around.
The plan would send regular pilgrims through the new gate.
The older gate on a main road would be used for VIP visitors.
Residents say the project itself is not the main problem, but that moving the crowds is.
They also say a politician made the disagreement about religion by discussing a nearby crucifix.
City officials will meet with residents, police and political representatives to discuss what should happen next.
Construction of the proposed Riddhi gate and shaded areas at Mumbai’s Siddhivinayak Temple has been halted after residents protested.
Residents say shifting pilgrim entry to Riddhi would worsen traffic, pedestrian movement and access for nearby school students.
The existing Veer Savarkar Marg entrance is planned as the Siddhi gate for VIP devotees.
Residents accused former corporator Samadhan Sarvankar of communalising a dispute they say is about public movement.
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation plans a meeting with police, political representatives and residents to seek a resolution.
- Who
- Residents near Kakasaheb Gadgil Marg, the Siddhivinayak Temple Trust, former corporator Samadhan Sarvankar and Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation officials.
- What
- Construction of the temple’s proposed Riddhi gate and shaded areas has been halted amid objections over traffic, pedestrian movement and alleged communalisation.
- Where
- At the Shree Siddhivinayak Temple and surrounding Kakasaheb Gadgil Marg area in Mumbai.
- When
- The report is dated August 19, 2026; residents held a protest on the preceding Sunday.
- Why
- Residents oppose shifting regular pilgrim entry to Riddhi, saying it could create crowding, obstruct movement and affect nearby school students.
Residents and local community
Temple-linked representatives and project authorities
Traffic and pedestrian movement
Residents and local community
Residents say they support beautification but oppose shifting the crowds to Riddhi because it could worsen congestion and obstruct residents and nearby school students.
Temple-linked representatives and project authorities
Temple-linked representatives and the municipal corporation describe the work as part of a major redevelopment and say the corporation, rather than the temple, is carrying out the project.
Role of the school
Residents and local community
Residents said the school submitted parents’ signatures opposing the project because of concerns about access and movement.
Temple-linked representatives and project authorities
Samadhan Sarvankar accused the school of asking parents to participate in a signature campaign against the construction; neither he nor the school provided an official comment to the report.
Communalisation allegations
Residents and local community
Residents said Sarvankar’s post about the nearby crucifix unfairly linked the local Christian community to opposition over the gate project.
Temple-linked representatives and project authorities
Sarvankar questioned the crucifix’s legality and argued that Hindus had not objected to it while the temple project was being opposed; Sadanand Sarvankar separately alleged that attempts were being made to defame the temple.
Key facts
- Project cost
- The redevelopment project is valued at Rs 500 crore.
- Funding
- The project is to be implemented with a Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation grant.
- Proposed entry plan
- Regular pilgrims would use the Riddhi gate, while the existing Veer Savarkar Marg entrance, to be called Siddhi, would be reserved for VIP devotees.
- Main objections
- Residents cited traffic, pedestrian movement, road barricading and possible obstructions for students of Convent Girls’ High School.
- Residents involved
- Residents of buildings including Kamna, Jai Bharat and Shiv Chaya opposed the plan.
- Administrative response
- Assistant Municipal Commissioner Yogesh Desai said he would convene a meeting involving police, political representatives and residents.
- Religious-site dispute
- Residents objected to a social-media post questioning the legality of a crucifix at a nearby Holy Cross chapel; local Christian community members said records established its legality.
Quotes
Anonymous resident
Resident of a local apartment building opposing the gate shift
“"There is a school on the road and residents have said that some aspects of the work will create obstructions to their movement. I would convene a meeting with the police, political representatives and residents to resolve the issue."”
freepressjournal.in
“"We are not objecting to the beautification project. Shifting the crowd from the other gate to this gate is a problem. The crowding will affect our movement as well as that of students of the Convent Girls’ High School."”
freepressjournal.in
Sadanand Sarvankar
Chairman of Siddhivinayak Temple Trust and former MLA
“"Attempts were being made to defame the temple. The temple is not doing the work; it is the municipal corporation."”
freepressjournal.in
Sources
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