The redevelopment project undertaken by SBUT comprises 16.5 acres of land divided into nine self-sustained sectors, with over 250 decrepit buildings, 3200 families and 1250 shops
Bhendi Bazaar is one of the most vintage localities of Mumbai and owes to being over 100-plus year sold. It comprises cramped lanes, old infrastructure, dilapidated buildings, lack of open spaces, recreational areas and outdated sanitation facilities that caused a decline in the standard of living of the people living in this neighbourhood. For example, the majority of the people lived in less than 250 sq ft one-room house with common toilets in the chawls.
Considering the above condition and to uplift the lives of the people of Bhendi Bazaar, Saifee Burhani Upliftment Trust took the responsibility of redeveloping this area. This redevelopment project is the dream of the Dawoodi Bohra leader late Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin, who in 2009, envisaged to elevate the environs of Bhendi Bazaar by making it a relevant and suitable lifestyle for the 21st century citizen.
The redevelopment project undertaken by SBUT comprises 16.5 acres of land divided into nine self-sustained sectors, with over 250 decrepit buildings, 3200 families and 1250 shops – all of which are being incorporated into a state-of-the-art and sustainable neighbourhood with newer buildings, wider roads, modern infrastructure, more open spaces, and highly visible commercial areas. The benefits of the project are for all the people of Bhendi Bazaar, regardless of their caste, religion, or the sect they belong to. The objective of the project is to change the skyline of the locality and the lives of those who previously lived in chawls and dilapidated structures.
Also Read: Icons of Bhendi Bazaar!
To add to this, the project will also widen the width of the roads from 7 meters to maximum of 18 meters, providing plenty of open spaces for pedestrian and vehicular movements. An area that previously had no defined parking space is going to accommodate approx. 3500 cars in the future.
Not only that, the redevelopment work also aims to provide eco-friendly and sustainable solutions that complement urban infrastructure with enhanced stormwater drains and sewers, improved quality of fresh water and piped gas supply. The rooftop solar panels, Solar power street lights will generate 600 + kWp of grid-interactive energy, accounting for around 5 % of the total consumption, while a better electrical distribution network with vertical busways will reduce line losses.
The buildings are oriented North-South Axis to avoid direct heat ingress, and the spacing between buildings ensure better air circulation. Besides that, there are over 770 trees of native species planted in the vicinity to create green avenues that will allow more fresh air in the environment.
Rainwater harvesting and sewage treatment plants are part of the project to ensure the reuse and conservation of water. Dry and wet waste garbage chutes installed on each floor for solid-waste collection maintains cleanliness and hygiene, and also to facilitate alignment and segregation of dry and waste collection at the source.
These various efforts and activities undertaken by SBUT are ensuring effective planning and development of Bhendi Bazaar to meet the present and future socio-economic needs of the diverse communities living and working in the region. This indeed is the journey of Bhendi Bazaar’s transformation from chawls to a sustainable township.
