Saifee Burhani Upliftment Trust

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.^[1][2]

The redevelopment project was, envisioned by 52nd Dā'ī al-Mutlaq of Dawoodi Bohras community, Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin. Today, the redevelopment of Bhendi Bazaar continues under the guidance of 53rd Da'i al-Mutlaq.^[3]

The project spans over an area of 16.5 acres comprising decrepit buildings, 3,200 families, and 1,250 shops. It is transforming into an 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.^[4]

In 2019, the first phase of the project was completed with the construction of the high-rise Al Sa’adah Towers. During rehabilitation at Bhendi Bazaar, the first 610 families returned to the towers as owners of the new residential flats in 2020. These towers also encompass 128 commercial shop owners who have been provided state-of-the-art infrastructure.^[5][6]

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.^[5]

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.^[7]

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.^[1]

Timeline[]

In 2010, the organisation obtained 70% owner consent and they also applied to Letter of the undertaking.^[8]

In 2011, the 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.^[9]

On 10 October 2013, the Trust inaugurated the commercial transit, Muffadal Shopping Arcade. After Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin's demise in January 2014, post which the project is being taken care by his son and successor, Syedna Aali Qadr Mufaddal Saifuddin.^[10]

In 2015, Project gets named as the first Smart-City Prototype and receives BMC appreciation.^[11] The organisation also got IOD Approval and a commencement certificate.^[12] It was acknowledged by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at an event at Vigyaan Bhavan in New Delhi.^[13]

In April 2016, The Construction begins in sub-cluster 1 and sub-cluster 3 of the Bhendi Bazaar Project.^[14] 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.^[1]

In 2017, Project receives environment clearance from MoEF.^[15]

In 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.^[16][17]

In October 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.^[18] Later, the foundation laying by His Holiness for Sector 6 - On the 8th death anniversary of the 52nd Dai-al-Mutlaq, his successor and son, Syedna Mufaddal Saifuddin laid the foundation stone for the next phase of the project.^[19]

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.^[20] The commercial transit is located 0.5 km away from the project area in the busy street of Noor Baug.^[21] When construction work was initiated, some of the residents were accommodated in transit facilities at Anjirwadi, Mazgaon, Ghodapdeo and Byculla.^[22]

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.^[23]

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.^[24]

Al Sa'adah Towers[]

Al-Sa'adah Towers are the first two rehab high-rise towers of the Saifee Burhani Upliftment Project to have been erected from the ground up. Al Sa’adah, which symbolizes 'prosperity', is the epitome of the Trust's promise to the people of Bhendi Bazaar. The construction of the towers, one 36 storeys high and the other 41 storeys high – began in 2016 and was achieved in 45 months.^[25]

Al Sa'adah is a state-of-the-art structure designed to promote a sustainable way of living. Apart from their residential flats, the owners have also been provided areas for amenities like a recreational area with a kid's playground, community hall, and open spaces within the towers. The commercial spaces will be housed on the ground, first, and second floor. The building will also be equipped with ample parking facilities to avert congestion in the main streets.^[26]

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.^[26]

Challenges[]

Vacating people and convincing them to move to the residential transit homes or retail spaces while their new accommodation gets ready was a challenge. Almost 90 percent of the present occupants are tenants. SBUT had the approval of the tenants and owners of the cluster but a few retracted for profits at a later stage. The trust has had to face unreasonable demands which are hard to fulfill and is also said to be unfair to those who have already given their consent to the project.^[27]

The high-powered committee under the municipal commissioner cleared 23 schemes in 2009, of which only four were subsequently cleared by the Urban Development Department under then chief minister Ashok Chavan in 2010. Most projects were stuck with civic authorities. Government approvals are time consuming, which hikes costs.^[28]

Revamping Bhendi Bazaar consists of various other challenges like tenants who occupied very small rooms in old, dilapidated buildings with common toilets, regardless of the area they occupy, each legitimate tenant will get ownership.^[29]

The old structures suffered from a number of infrastructural issues including outdated sanitation, safety measures, and cramped 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 will include practices like sewage treatment plants, rain-water harvesting, green cover and solar lighting within the towers and public areas, among others.^[29]

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 conveniences to residents.^[30]

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, all 128 commercial owners have returned to the new premises and have set up shop. The commercial area is said to be designed to become High Street Shopping experience.^[31]

Awards[]

The Bhendi Bazaar redevelopment project, received the ‘Smart city Project 2016’ award^[32] during a conclave on smart cities supported by the Central Government.^.The trust was in competition with more than 22 smart-city projects, across the country who were vying for the award. The conclave was held from 11 to 13 May, at Pragati Maidan, New Delhi. Other envious projects which were part of the shortlisted 22 names were, the GIFT City in Gujarat, DLF 5  in Gurgaon and Blue Ridge in Hinjewadi, Pune.^[32]

As per the article published in ‘The Hindu’, Mr. Abbas Master, CEO of the Saifee Burhani Upliftment Trust, dedicated the award to the people of Bhendi Bazaar and the State and Central government.^[33]

In the legislative session, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis had informed the council that the project would take 8–10 years to be completed. The project has been pre-certified ‘Gold’ by the Indian Green Buildings Council (IGBC).^[34]

References[]