Mumbai: BMC moots special bus service for Siddhivinayak Temple devotees

Encroachments eliminated from within and outside Siddhivinayak temple, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) plans to run a special bus ferry from Dadar station to the iconic religious site, and vice versa, solely for devotees. BMC officials have stated that in the coming months, if any devotee comes from Dadar station to Siddhivinayak, they will not face any trouble with regard to travelling, obtaining prasad thalis, seating arrangements and toilet facilities.

The BMC conducted a joint meeting with the BEST chairman, Siddhivinayak temple trust, and Dadar division traffic police to chalk out a new plan, according to which the civic body will beautify the area outside and inside the temple, install two big gates at the front and rear named Riddhi Siddhi and run a bus service.

Devotees compelled to take share taxis to Dadar station due to poor bus frequency. Pics/Shirish Vaktania

Speaking with mid-day, Prakash Sapkale, assistant municipal commissioner, G North, said, "After mid-day's report, our priority was to remove encroachments from outside and inside the temple. This accomplished, we now will issue a tender for the beautification of the temple premises. This is part of the plan to provide all kinds of facilities to devotees, including easy travel, seating and speedy darshan."

"We had a meeting with the BEST chairman, Dadar traffic division and Siddhivinayak temple trust, and we decided to start the special bus ferry from Dadar station to the temple and vice versa. If any devotee gets down at Dadar station and wants to go to Siddhivinayak temple, they will not face any trouble. The bus service will be continuous from both ends. There will be a special bus stop outside Dadar station for the Siddhivinayak temple ferry," Sapkale said.

"The plan will be ready by March 15, and we will issue a tender for the work globally. The plan includes installing two main big gates at the front and back of the temple. Special instruction boards will be installed outside the temple area to ensure that flower vendors do not cheat any devotees, and the latter get prasad thalis at nominal rates. The bus fare will be decided by the BEST. We are also developing the public toilet facilities for devotees," Sapkale added.

‘Want to end cab nuisance outside temple'

On Friday, mid-day found that the frequency of BEST buses at Siddhivinayak temple bus stop was low, and people were forced to take share taxis to the station at Rs 10 per head.

A BMC source told mid-day, "We want to end the nuisance by taxi drivers outside the temple. During rush hour, they overcharge devotees. The taxi stand will be relocated, and a new bus stop will be designated for the temple. Only buses will be allowed to stop at this place."

Veena Patil, the temple trust's executive officer, said, "We have had a joint meeting with the BMC, which is planning to run a special bus from the station to the temple. We are maintaining the area inside the temple and have placed instruction boards at the entrance to ensure that devotees are not cheated by touts offering VVIP darshan services."