MUMBAI: The Saifee Burhani Upliftment Trust (SBUT) project is in an advanced stage of construction. At present, the phase 2 work (on Al-Ezz and Al-Nasr towers) is in progress.
An SBUT spokesperson said, “Two towers of 53 storeys each are being constructed replacing 23 old and dilapidated buildings on a plot of approximately 1.34 acres. Sector 6 will house more than 1,250 families and around 270 businesses.”
Al-Ezz (‘honour’ in Arabic) is in sector 6. Many owners have received occupancy certificates for commercial shops in the tower. “My father started a clinic here more than 50 years ago. Now I have moved in with my dental clinic on the first floor of Al-Ezz. I am happy as patients have started coming to my clinic,” said Dr Idris Jariwala.
Along with the commercial units being opened, the signing of agreements for residential occupation is also underway. Aziz Chechatwala, who has signed an agreement for possession of his residential flat, said that an old dream is coming true. “Earlier, I was a tenant. Now, I am the owner of a flat which has an attached bathroom and toilet. I am looking forward to staying there with my parents, wife and two children,” he said.
An-Nasr (‘victory’ in Arabic) in sector 4 covers approximately 1.5 acres and 74 old buildings have made way for two towers of over 53 storeys each. When completed, Al-Nasr will accommodate around 1,350 families and over 320 shops.
The Bhendi Bazaar Redevelopment Project was initiated in 2009 to fulfill the dream of the 52nd Dawoodi Bohra spiritual leader, the late Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin. He wanted to uplift the residents living and working in the area. The project covers 16.5 acres of land with over 250 decrepit buildings, all of which are being turned into a state-of-the-art sustainable development project with 11 new buildings, wide roads, modern infrastructure, more open spaces and highly visible commercial areas. It will cover 3,200 families and 1,250 shops. The project has been undertaken through a cluster development approach as per the Development Control Regulations (DCR) 33 (9) scheme.SBUT has moved the old tenants to residential and commercial transit accomodation until the project is ready. The Trust completed the first phase of the project in 2020, rehousing 610 families and 128 businesses in two towers named Al-Saadah (prosperity).
The century-old Saifee Masjid, which was reconstructed as part of the first phase, was recently inaugurated by the 53rd spiritual head Syedna Mufaddal Saifuddin.
