Bhendi Bazar redevelopment project gets govt nod

MUMBAI: The ambitious project of redeveloping Bhendi Bazar, a congested commercial and residential locality in the heart of the city, is expected to begin in the first quarter of 2014, the trust tasked with implementation of the project has said.

"The project, conceived in 2009, was stuck pending some clearances. But now we have received the approval from the government to start construction. We will commence work sometime between January and March next year," Saifee Bhurani Upliftment Trust (SBUT) Secretary Sheikh Abdeali Bhanpurawala told PTI.

The project had been awaiting clearances, especially under the 33(9) Development Control Regulation, which necessitates a developer to purchase 100 per cent property, without which they cannot carry out redevelopment.

Bhendi Bazar in South Mumbai spans across some 16.5 acres.

SBUT, which conceived the plan, has so far managed to purchase 85 per cent of the properties but is unable to get the remainder due to "unreasonable" demands of the landlords.

"However, considering the importance and magnitude of the project, the Maharashtra Government has allowed us to go ahead with construction," Bhanpurawala said.

The project will be developed in a phased manner and have nine clusters, with two-three towers in each cluster, Bhanpurawala said. "This project will create an urban living space with the most modern infrastructure and amenities."

He said unlike other redevelopment plans in the metropolis, this will have 80 per cent of the land for the project-affected/rehabilitation, and the rest will be available to be sold in open market.

"The project will house 17 buildings with 12 reserved for rehabilitating the existing tenants, while four buildings will be available for sale in open market. The remaining one building will be reserved for the state housing body Mhada."

About funding aspect, he said, "The trust will bear the cost. Besides, proceeds from the sale of apartments in the free-sale component will also be used to fund the project." The plan, impacting 3,200 families and 1,250 businesses, is likely to be completed within three years.