Mumbai: Ascending JJ flyover and heading towards CST, it’s difficult to miss the chaos on the street below, even if in a fleeting glimpse. To the right is Bhendi Bazaar, one of the most densely populated localities in the city, with creaking buildings standing cheek by jowl and a mass of humanity spilling all around. For any town planner, this is an urban nightmare.
Now, one of the biggest-ever redevelopment projects is ready to roll. And spearheading it is no builder but the spiritual head of the one-million strong Dawoodi Bohra community, Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin.
At an exclusive briefing to this newspaper at Badri Mahal, the Dawoodi Bohra headquarters in the Fort area of downtown Mumbai, his representatives said the project, which is expected to cost over Rs 1,500 crore, involves redeveloping 270 buildings and 2,000 commercial establishments spread over 18 acres, almost the size of the Oval Maidan. Over 25,000 people are expected to be rehoused in the new buildings. Interestingly, one lane of the landmark Chor Bazaar also falls under this plan.
The trust has submitted a proposal to the state government under the recently introduced cluster redevelopment policy, popularly known as 33(9). The scheme applies to dilapidated cessed properties as well as BMC and state government buildings in the island city. It encourages builders to take up a minimum area of 4,000 sq m (about one acre, which could hold five to six buildings) and offers a higher-than-standard floor space index (FSI) of 4.
The 98-year-old Syedna, currently in Germany, initiated the plan recently after witnessing the pathetic living conditions of Bhendi Bazaar’s residents—mainly Muslims of various sects, 80% of whom belong to his community.
What Will it Involve
18 acres, 270 buildings, 4,000 homes, 2,000 commercial establishments and 25,000 people
80% of the project involves rehousing the existing tenants free of cost in brand new buildings
The other 20% will include four residential skyscrapers to be sold at the market rate to recover the project costs.
Each rehab building will have one floor dedicated to services, provision for recreational facilities and two basements for parking.
Almost 50% of the area will be reserved for open spaces and green areas. There are plans to broaden the narrow roads to up to 60 feet 50% of bldgs bought, new look in 5 years.
