SoBo temple precinct work to start this month

Mumbai: Almost six months after the then CM Eknath Shinde performed the groundbreaking ceremony of Mahalaxmi Temple precinct beautification project, work will begin this month. Officials said BMC has cleared the project and a work order will be issued soon. One of Shinde's pet projects, the beautification works involve realignment and redesigning of stalls, decorative arch entrance gates, provision of escalators, CCTVs, providing murals, landscaping and control room for illumination, installation of signages, pedestrian flow management, construction of a skywalk from Mahalaxmi Temple and crossing the connector from Akruti Parking to Mandir and landing near the Coastal Road Garden, solar panels, and a renewed walkway.
Sources close to Shinde said he was upset at BMC delaying work. "As CM, Shinde had allocated Rs 280 crore for development of Mumbadevi and Mahalaxmi temple complexes, and Rs 35 crore for Jagannath Shankarsheth memorial in the city. Shinde directed BMC to provide Rs 60 crore for development of Mahalaxmi temple precinct. The delay by BMC is unacceptable and hurts sentiment of devotees awaiting an upgrade. The temple trust raised the matter with Shinde too," said a senior Sena functionary.
A senior civic official said that the file regarding the beautification got administrative approval and work orders will be issued soon. The official said initially a Rs 25 crore plan was drawn out. "The contractor was finalised; but administrative approvals were pending. This was an engineering, procurement, and construction contract, and the appointed contractor was to present us with design options. That process was underway. Now as the administrative approval is through, work will begin this month," he said.
Sena functionary Shaina NC has sought state collaboration on Mahalaxmi Temple precinct beautification project through her NGO, I Love Mumbai. In a letter to chief secretary Sujata Saunik last month, she wrote, "Our NGO is actively involved in beautification, cleanliness, and restoration efforts across the city...We would be highly obliged to contribute to the Coastal Road Beautification Project."
Mumbai: Almost six months after the then CM Eknath Shinde performed the groundbreaking ceremony of Mahalaxmi Temple precinct beautification project, work will begin this month. Officials said BMC has cleared the project and a work order will be issued soon. One of Shinde's pet projects, the beautification works involve realignment and redesigning of stalls, decorative arch entrance gates, provision of escalators, CCTVs, providing murals, landscaping and control room for illumination, installation of signages, pedestrian flow management, construction of a skywalk from Mahalaxmi Temple and crossing the connector from Akruti Parking to Mandir and landing near the Coastal Road Garden, solar panels, and a renewed walkway.
Sources close to Shinde said he was upset at BMC delaying work. "As CM, Shinde had allocated Rs 280 crore for development of Mumbadevi and Mahalaxmi temple complexes, and Rs 35 crore for Jagannath Shankarsheth memorial in the city. Shinde directed BMC to provide Rs 60 crore for development of Mahalaxmi temple precinct. The delay by BMC is unacceptable and hurts sentiment of devotees awaiting an upgrade. The temple trust raised the matter with Shinde too," said a senior Sena functionary.
A senior civic official said that the file regarding the beautification got administrative approval and work orders will be issued soon. The official said initially a Rs 25 crore plan was drawn out. "The contractor was finalised; but administrative approvals were pending. This was an engineering, procurement, and construction contract, and the appointed contractor was to present us with design options. That process was underway. Now as the administrative approval is through, work will begin this month," he said.
Sena functionary Shaina NC has sought state collaboration on Mahalaxmi Temple precinct beautification project through her NGO, I Love Mumbai. In a letter to chief secretary Sujata Saunik last month, she wrote, "Our NGO is actively involved in beautification, cleanliness, and restoration efforts across the city...We would be highly obliged to contribute to the Coastal Road Beautification Project."