The redevelopment of one of the most congested areas of Mumbai, which also has one of the highest number of old and dilapidated buildings, is one step closer to its goal of reconstruction.
The Bhendi Bazaar Redevelopment Project in South Mumbai, undertaken by Saifee Burhani Upliftment Trust, has received the much-awaited IOD (Intimation of Disapproval) approval from the Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai for phase-I of the project. The master plan layout of the project has also been approved.
With the IOD and other approvals, the Trust will now apply for the Commencement Certificate after fulfilling conditions of Intimation of Disapproval before it can finally begin construction. This development has come in just a week after Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis met the delegation from SBUT and assured support to the Bhendi Bazaar Redevelopment Project. This came following his approval of the new cluster development policy.
In an effort to boost urban renewal projects and improve living conditions, the chief minister also identified top 10 critical projects for the state with the Bhendi Bazaar redevelopment project being one of them.
Abbas Master, CEO, Saifee Burhani Upliftment Trust, said: “The IOD is a major milestone of the project and has provided a stimulus to its development. With the IOD in place, we are now one step closer to begin phase-wise construction, thus giving Bhendi Bazaar the much-needed transformation.”
Currently, more than 60 dilapidated buildings have been demolished in Bhendi Bazaar. Over 1,600 families have been moved with a majority of them opting for residential transit homes. The not-for-profit Trust has acquired more than 85 per cent of the buildings and has received the all-important environment clearance from the Ministry of Environment and Forests.
The project comprises 3,200 homes in 250 existing buildings and 1,250 businesses, all of which put together will touch the lives of 20,000 people. This redevelopment project, initiated under Development Control Regulation (DCR) No.33(9), is expected to transform Bhendi Bazaar into a diverse sustainable community with a healthy neighbourhood and created a vibrant modern urban area.
