Mumbai: The upgradation and beautification plan for the area surrounding Siddhivinayak Temple in Prabhadevi has not commenced even four months after BMC issued a Letter of Acceptance (LOA) to the contractor for the first phase of the project which involves works worth around Rs 80 crore.The contractor has now written to the BMC administration seeking urgent hand over of the site and bhoomipujan for commencement of work. The contractor also pointed out that the delay may impact the project cost.The BMC is carrying out beautification of the area in and around the temple in phases. The works to be carried out in the first phase include stone carving and marble cladding work on compound walls, pillar, arches, building, besides flooring of passage area, canopy and construction of a basement-plus-two-storey parking area on a plot behind the temple, which will accommodate about 180 cars.Despite an LOA being issued to the contractor on December 15, 2025, and a purchase order on January 27, work is yet to commence. Civic authorities claimed that the temple authorities have indicated that the work should commence only after a formal inauguration by the chief minister and deputy chief minister.“Initially, there was a delay in giving the purchase order due to the election code of conduct and other reasons. Now that the purchase order has been issued, we are seeking appointments of the chief minister and deputy chief minister for the inauguration of the works,” said a former corporator associated with the Siddhivinayak Temple trust.A civic official said: “If there is any more delay in the project commencement, the contractor will have to halt work during monsoon, which is not ideal.”
