Carrying the legacy of most families that have brought up generations in this very locality and a homestead to some iconic businesses, this 16.5 acres of land is Mumbai’s treasure trove.
Bhendi Bazaar is one of the oldest areas in hustling-bustling Mumbai city. Like the streets of Mumbai capture a thousand emotions, the lanes of this popular 150-year-old bazaar have stories to tell of thousands of people who have been residing & conducting their business here for many eons.
At the time of its establishment during the British raj, Bhendi Bazaar was a labour camp set up for workers. Owing to its chawl-like design and the structures being deemed perishable over time, there was a dire need for redevelopment and maintenance. Stepping in at this time of need, the Dawoodi Bohra community’s Saifee Burhani Upliftment Trust (SBUT) took on this redevelopment project under the Cluster Redevelopment Scheme to provide better living conditions. The trust is uplifting and providing welfare to more than 20,000 lives that comprise 3,200 families and 1250 shops in the area.
Carrying the legacy of most families that have brought up generations in this very locality and a homestead to some iconic businesses, this 16.5 acres of land is Mumbai’s treasure trove. Being one of the oldest markets in the city, there are shops and shop owners that remain close to their roots and are positive about the transition of smart and urban development.
One among the few is the owner of the Dawoodi Amama Maker, Shabbir Dawoodbhai Paghariwala, who inherited a shop of turbans (paghari) from his previous generations. He has been around for 120 years, and in his testimony, he said, “The redevelopment project has been the vision of Syedna Mufaddal Saifuddin and all the work done is with a virtuous reason and for the good of the people. All the problems of the buildings that have been around for over one hundred years, like leakages and internal repairs, have been tackled by the Bohri residents. I am confident that the standard of living of the people will improve once the redevelopment project is completed. SBUT is working extremely hard for the betterment of the people of Bhendi Bazaar. However, I regret not owning a house in this sector, but looking at the efforts the trust is making to uplift the lives of the people, surely is commendable.”
Also Read: From a chawl to a sustainable township – The Journey of Bhendi Bazaar
Abdul Kadir, also a resident of Bhendi Bazaar and shopkeeper of Al Aqmar designer garments since 2007 said, “I am 100% confident about the positive future of Bhendi Bazaar. I am in the transition phase with my shop and have yet to relocate to my permanent shop on the first floor in the shopping centre, but I have no complaints as this work is ongoing, keeping in mind the betterment of all. The impact on my business is such that I can see new customers walking in while I continue to wait for my regular customers who are in transit at Anjeerwadi and Ghodpadeo. I hope to see the project come to life in my living years and I am overly optimistic about the future of Bhendi Bazaar and the redevelopment project by SBUT.”
A resident and commercial shop owner of Al Sa’dah, Saifuddin Lokhandwala, who sells Ridas said, “The redevelopment project is a good step for the commercial shop owners and residents. In the beginning, there were problems and hesitations but now that we are allocated to our redeveloped, permanent shops and homes, it feels good. I am hopeful about the redevelopment project. My business will continue to grow once tenants come back from the transit locations. I was always in favour of the project from the start when the plan was discussed. Only one thing, over and above the redevelopment project, I would prefer some more greenery in our surroundings. We do have playing areas at the podium level, but it will be a better look for Bhendi Bazaar in the modern setup also to have trees. The project has given us lot of positive energy and encouragement towards the future.”
The restaurant owner, Flavour Cottage, Sarfaraz Jamali currently in the transit locality said, “Whenever SBUT takes up a project they do it with a full heart and there is no compromise on quality. I am convinced about the transformation that the redevelopment will bring to my restaurant business.”
These residents and shop owners have based complete faith and trust in the redevelopment project and the fact that it is the vision of His Holiness, Muhammad Burhanuddin Maulana Syedna. SBUT has brought the lives of the people of Bhendi Bazaar to a point where the future ahead looks brighter and better for them.
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