Saifee Burhani Upliftment Trust
FormationJanuary 23, 2009 (2009-01-23)
FounderMohammed Burhanuddin
TypeNon-profit
Focus20,000 people from 3,200 families to be uplifted. 250 dilapidated buildings to be transformed to 11 towers
Area served
Bhendi Bazaar, South Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
Husain Burhanuddin
Award(s)
Websitesbut.com

Saifee Burhani Upliftment Trust (SBUT) is a non-profit organization established in 2009 to undertake one of urban India's largest makeover projects of sheer magnitude and impacting around 20,000 people.[2][3]

The redevelopment project was, envisioned by 52nd Dā'ī al-Mutlaq of Dawoodi Bohras community, Mohammed Burhanuddin. Today, the redevelopment of Bhendi Bazaar continues under the guidance of 53rd Da'i al-Mutlaq.[4]

The project spans over an area of 16.5 acres comprising decrepit buildings, 3,200 families, and 1,250 shops. It is transforming into a modern and elaborate sustainable development embodying 11 new towers, wider roads, modern infrastructure, open spaces, commercial areas, among others. Of the total 3,200 families covered in the project, nearly all families have vacated their premises to facilitate the ambitious construction work.[5]

In 2019, the first phase of the project was completed with the construction of the high-rise Al Sa’adah Towers.[6][7]

As of February 2021, after completing the Phase 1 work of the Bhendi Bazar redevelopment project, the SBUT has initiated the Phase 2 construction work.[6]

Syedna Mufaddal Saifuddin inaugurated the newly reconstructed Saifee Masjid and its complex on the eve of Milad al Nabi in September 2023. This complex known as Sector 1 was demolished and redeveloped with modern sustainable amenities and a commercial shopping arcade.[8]

Project Features

Bhendi Bazaar Makeover

Currently, most of Bhendi Bazaar’s residents are tenants who occupied less than 300 sq. ft. rooms in old, dilapidated buildings with common toilets. Regardless of the area they occupy, each legitimate tenant will get ownership of a minimum 350-sq-ft flat with its own kitchen and bathroom. [9][10]

Environmentally Sustainable Practices

The old structures suffered from a number of infrastructural issues including outdated sanitation, lack of fire & safety measures and crammed spaces. Once completed, each sector will be a model for sustainability, a key element that was central to the redevelopment planning process. Each sector is planned to promote a sustainable way of living and includes practices like sewage treatment plant, Central Garbage Disposal System (CGDS), rain-water harvesting, green cover and solar lighting within the towers and public areas, among others. [11][12]

Wider Roads and Parking Facilities

The narrow alleys will give way to 60-foot-wide roads. The planners have taken into account parking requirements, which have been incorporated into the building design to create free spaces, ease traffic and provide convenience to residents.[13]

Supporting Commercial Success

A key aspect of the redevelopment project is to boost employment opportunities and wider socio-economic benefits for the people in the area and beyond. Post completion of the first phase, Al Sa'adah, all 128 commercial owners have returned to the new premises and have setup their shops.[14]

History

Bhendi Bazaar is situated near Crawford Market in South Mumbai. It was developed to house male migrant workers who thronged to Mumbai amidst the rising commercial activities due to the mushrooming mills in the Bombay Presidency. Over the years, several families sheltered themselves in the box-sized dormitories with space as little as 200 square feet and accompanied by unfathomable living conditions.[15]

The redevelopment project of Bhendi Bazaar concurred with the Government of Maharashtra's amending of the cluster redevelopment policy in 2009. The project was conceptualized then, as an effort to uplift the lives of the people of Bhendi Bazaar and replace the dilapidated buildings with modern and safe infrastructure.[2]

Timeline

Year Milestone
2010 The project obtained 70% owner consent and applied to Letter of the undertaking.[16]
2011 Chief Minister of Maharashtra Prithviraj Chavan nodded to the Bhendi Bazaar Redevelopment Project and Moved the first batch of tenants to the residential transit at Anjirwadi.[17]
2013 The Trust inaugurated the commercial transit, Muffadal Shopping Arcade. After Mohammed Burhanuddin's demise in January 2014, post which the project is being taken care by his son and successor, Syedna Mufaddal Saifuddin.[18]

Vacating people and convincing them to shift to the residential transit homes or retail spaces while their new premises gets ready was a massive challenge.[19]

2015 Project gets named as the first Smart-City Prototype and receives BMC appreciation.[20] The organisation also got IOD Approval and a commencement certificate.[21] It was acknowledged by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at an event at Vigyaan Bhavan in New Delhi.[22]
2016 The Construction begins in sub-cluster 1 and sub-cluster 3 of the Bhendi Bazaar Project.[23] The Trust had acquired 215 of the 250 buildings. Of these, 70 have been demolished with 1,700 families rehabilitated in purpose-built temporary accommodation being provided for free until the completion of their new homes.[2]
2017 Project receives environment clearance from MoEF.[24] A five-storey residential building which was part of the project collapsed on a Thursday morning after torrential rains, in which several died and many were injured.[25] A blame game occurred between the MHADA and BMC while SBUT also were partly blamed by the opposition then.[26]
2019 The trust completed two towers named ‘Al Sa’adah where 610 families and 128 businesses rehabilitated and received IOD approval in 2021 for further construction work.[27][28]
2021 BMC agreed on a deal of exchanging 24 plots of BMC placed within the redevelopment area with SBUT in return for two plots owned by SBUT.[29]

On 24 October 2021, Syedna Mufaddal Saifuddin laid the foundation stone for the next phase of the project.[30]

2022 In February 2022, the project received a commencement certificate (CC) to start construction work in Sector 4. This sector comprises around 1393 residential units and 321 commercial shops in two new towers of 51 and 52 storeys each.[31][32]

In August 2022, SBUT was issued a stop work notice by the BMC following directions of the Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Devendra Fadnavis. He told in the state assembly that alleged irregularities will be investigated in the project.[3][4]

In November 2022, the stop work notice was revoked, allowing construction to resume after there were no irregulaties found.[5][7]

2023 On 7th February 2023, Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Devendra Fadnavis and Syedna Mufaddal Saifuddin laid the foundation stone for the upcoming Sector 4 named 'An-Nasr'. In his address, Fadnavis praised the Bhendi Bazaar redevelopment project and assured full support towards the timely completion of the project.[33][34]

On 25th September 2023, Saifee Masjid and Sector 1 of the project was inaugurated by Syedna Mufaddal Saifuddin.[8]

On 13 November 2023, Sector 6 named Al Ezz Tower's commercial arcade floors was granted part Occupancy Certificate(OC) by the authorities through which commercial shops will be shifted back into their new premises.[35]

Temporary Accommodation

While revamping the Bhendi Bazaar, the trust has taken various initiatives and created residential and commercial transit so that the people get a good quality living environment in their new homes. The interests of the businesses of sub-cluster 1 and 3 were also taken into consideration, as over 299 commercial residents were affected when construction began in the first phase of the redevelopment.[36] The commercial transit is located 0.5 km away from the project area in the busy street of Noor Baug.[37] When construction work was initiated, some of the residents were accommodated in transit facilities at Anjeer wadi in Mazgaon, Ghodapdeo and Chunabhatti.[38]

On 10 October 2013, the Saifee Burhani Upliftment Trust inaugurated a temporary commercial transit which would be displaced because of the construction activity in phase 1 of the cluster redevelopment project. The clusters 1 and cluster 3 that would undergo construction, are close to the mausoleum, Raudat Tahera, together housing over 299 shops.[39]

A key issue raised by several shop owners during the transition period was the loss of footfalls and business during the transition period. To safeguard the interest of businesses that have been in Bhendi Bazaar for decades, the Trust built a temporary on-site commercial transit facility right in the heart of the project. The idea was to minimize displacement and curtail inconveniences to the area's shop owners while helping the businesses adapt to the street shopping environment that has been propose.[40]

Saifee Masjid Complex

Ghurrat ul Masajid, also known as Saifee Masjid, is a Dawoodi Bohra mosque in South Mumbai, Bhendi Bazaar. It was constructed in the early 20th century by Taher Saifuddin.[41]

Al Sa'adah Towers

Al Saadah Towers

Al-Sa'adah Towers are the first two rehab high-rise towers of the Saifee Burhani Upliftment Project to be built. Al-Sa’adah, which symbolizes 'prosperity', is the first example of the Trust's promise to the people of Bhendi Bazaar. The construction of the towers began in 2016 and was completed in 45 months with one 36 storeys high and the other 41 storeys high.[42]

All 610 families have been handed possession of their new flats and 128 business owners have set up their shop at the new premises. The rehabilitation of the families and businesses involved was taken care of by the Trust at no expense to any of the returnees.[43]

References

  1. ↑ "'Smart City Project 2016' award for Bhendi Bazaar redevelopment plan".
  2. 1 2 3 Kazmin, Amy (10 March 2016). "Will $1bn revamp of Mumbai's Bhendi Bazaar be a model makeover?". www.ft.com. Retrieved 7 July 2021.
  3. 1 2 Mahrotri, Pooja Thakur; Antony, Anto (4 October 2016). "Mumbai's Bhendi Bazaar urban makeover means free homes for 20,000". Mint.
  4. 1 2 "SBUT starts construction work on Bhendi Bazaar re-development project". Business Standard India. Press Trust of India. 30 December 2015. Retrieved 20 July 2021.
  5. 1 2 "SBUT begins Bhendi Bazaar re-development project". Business Standard India. Press Trust of India. 30 December 2015. Retrieved 3 September 2021.
  6. 1 2 "SBUT begins Phase 2 of Bhendi Bazar redevelopment project". Free Press Journal. Retrieved 9 May 2021.
  7. 1 2 "Print Coverage Bhendi Bazaar".
  8. 1 2 "Mumbai News: Syedna Saifuddin Inaugurates Saifee Masjid As Part Of Bhendi Bazaar Redevelopment Project". Free Press Journal. Retrieved 7 November 2023.
  9. ↑ "Bhendi Bazaar's home run: 550 families move into 2 new towers". Hindustan Times. 6 February 2020. Retrieved 12 June 2023.
  10. ↑ "Snazzing up Bhendi Bazaar". www.thehindubusinessline.com. 7 March 2013. Retrieved 12 June 2023.
  11. ↑ "The sustainable side: Bhendi Bazaar Redevelopment Project". Construction and Architecture Magazine. Retrieved 14 August 2023.
  12. ↑ "Massive revamp of Bhendi Bazaar gets CM's nod". The Times of India. 9 July 2011. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 14 August 2023.
  13. ↑ "3 key Bhendi Bazaar roads to be widened". The Times of India. 14 October 2016. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 4 August 2023.
  14. ↑ Mahale, Ajeet (22 March 2020). "A whole new world". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 7 November 2023.
  15. ↑ "Bhendi Bazaar takes leap into the future". The Hindu. PTI. 9 March 2020. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 20 July 2021.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: others (link)
  16. ↑ "LOU Saifee Burhani Upliftment Trust".
  17. ↑ "BMC clears proposal seeking lease transfer of one acre of land to SBUT". The Indian Express. 4 March 2014. Retrieved 3 September 2021.
  18. ↑ "Transit complex for Bhendi Bazaar shop owners opens – Indian Express". archive.indianexpress.com. Retrieved 13 September 2021.
  19. ↑ "Bhendi Bazaar march urges tenants to move out of dilapidated buildings". Mumbai Mirror. 14 May 2018. Retrieved 17 July 2022.
  20. ↑ Mookerji, Nivedita (25 June 2015). "Bhendi Bazaar prototype to be showcased at Prime Minister's smart city event". Business Standard India. Retrieved 3 September 2021.
  21. ↑ "Bhendi Bazar redevelopment project receives IOD nod from MCGM". Business Standard India. Press Trust of India. 23 January 2015. Retrieved 3 September 2021.
  22. ↑ "Mumbai's Bhendi Bazaar takes leap into future with mega redevelopment project". The Economic Times. Retrieved 13 September 2021.
  23. ↑ "SBUT starts construction work on Bhendi Bazaar redevelopment project". Business Standard India. Press Trust of India. 30 December 2015. Retrieved 3 September 2021.
  24. ↑ "Environment clearance for Bhendi Bazaar Redevelopment Project". The Indian Express. 8 September 2017. Retrieved 3 September 2021.
  25. ↑ "Mumbai building collapse: Bhendi Bazaar accident leaves 24 dead, CM Devendra Fadnavis assures strict action". The Indian Express. 31 August 2017. Retrieved 9 June 2022.
  26. ↑ "Mumbai building collapse: It's BMC versus MHADA versus the Saifee trust". Free Press Journal. Retrieved 9 June 2022.
  27. ↑ "Congested Bhendi Bazaar in Mumbai gets a new spanking look". Rediff. Retrieved 3 September 2021.
  28. ↑ "SBUT begins Phase 2 of Bhendi Bazar redevelopment project". Free Press Journal. Retrieved 3 September 2021.
  29. ↑ "Bhendi Bazar Cluster Redevelopment: BMC approves proposal to exchange land with SBUT". The Indian Express. 1 October 2021. Retrieved 9 November 2021.
  30. ↑ Mohammed Wajihuddin (24 October 2021). "Mumbai: Syedna lays foundation stone of Sector-6, next phase of Bhendi Bazaar redevelopment project | Mumbai News - Times of India". The Times of India. Retrieved 9 November 2021.
  31. ↑ "Bhendi Bazaar redevelopment set to be completed by 2025". www.mid-day.com. 19 February 2022. Retrieved 26 February 2022.
  32. ↑ "Bhendi Bazar revamp gets nod for two major skyscrapers". Hindustan Times. 23 February 2022. Retrieved 26 February 2022.
  33. ↑ "Deputy CM Fadnavis assures support for completion of Bhendi Bazaar redevelopment". Hindustan Times. 9 February 2023. Retrieved 8 May 2023.
  34. ↑ "Mumbai's Bhendi Bazaar redevelopment second phase launched". The Times of India. 8 February 2023. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 8 May 2023.
  35. ↑ "Phase 2 of SBUT gets going, OC received". Hindustan Times. 17 November 2023. Retrieved 21 November 2023.
  36. ↑ "Transit complex for Bhendi Bazaar shop owners opens". The Indian Express. 11 October 2013. Retrieved 17 August 2021.
  37. ↑ "Landmark redevelopment of Mumbai's Bhendi Bazaar begins". gulfnews.com. Retrieved 17 August 2021.
  38. ↑ "BMC clears proposal seeking lease transfer of one acre of land to SBUT". The Indian Express. 4 March 2014. Retrieved 17 August 2021.
  39. ↑ "Transit complex for Bhendi Bazaar shop owners opens". The Indian Express. 11 October 2013. Retrieved 3 September 2021.
  40. ↑ Mahale, Ajeet (23 March 2020). "A whole new world". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 3 September 2021.
  41. ↑ "Syedna, Dawoodi Bohras' spiritual leader, dies at 102". The Times of India. 18 January 2014. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 4 October 2023.
  42. ↑ "Mumbai's Bhendi Bazaar makeover hits phase 1 milestone in Covid year, 2 towers up & running". ThePrint. 26 December 2020. Retrieved 12 July 2022.
  43. ↑ "Photos: 550 families move to new towers in South Mumbai's Bhendi Bazaar". Hindustan Times. 9 February 2020. Retrieved 14 July 2021.
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