Mumbai's iconic Bhendi Bazaar is redeveloping and there's a lot in store for the business communities and its residents!

This redevelopment project comprises of 16.5 acres of land, which has over 250 existing buildings, housing 3200 families and 1,250 shops. All of these are to be incorporated into this project and will introduce new buildings, roads, modern infrastructure, open spaces and well-connected commercial areas. 

Most Mumbaikars at some point in their life have taken a stroll down the lanes of Bhendi Bazaar, especially devouring the Bohri cuisine and the Ramadan feast. Bhendi Bazaar is a mosaic of closely-knit communities & bazaars and was once called ‘Behind the Bazaar’ by the British residing in the area. Later became known as Bhendi Bazaar colloquially by the locals. This market features one of the most buzzing and crowded lanes where people can be seen shopping their hearts out every day. Now, this iconic market is seeing a massive redevelopment and we are excited about it.

The Bhendi Bazaar Redevelopment Project

The Saifee Burhani Upliftment Trust (SBUT) started The Bhendi Bazaar Redevelopment Project in 2009. The sole intent was to realize the dreams of its residents, both commercial & residential. Soon the wider lanes and substantial parking spaces will replace cramped lanes. And, it will connect the mohalla further to the city.

SBUT has divided the entire area into appropriate spaces and plans to raise the buildings in height from south to north to minimize heat openings. Vast space will also be available for open areas, green spaces, playgrounds(s), and other recreational facilities. Wide roads will replace the narrow lanes that can accommodate tree-lined footpaths, allowing a smooth flow of vehicular traffic. The area will also have an environment-friendly and efficient sewage treatment plant, solar panels, rainwater harvesting, and garbage disposal units.

Shopping Arcade and much more

The bazaar has always been famously known for its food, fabric market, carpet stores, sweet shops, and shopping culture. And now, it has a new face in the form of a shopping arcade. The buildings of Bhendi Bazaar will have shopping areas on the first few floors. The architecture will have Fatimid motifs from Egypt. SUBT is also working on a project to record people’s histories and keep elements that represent Bhendi Bazaar.

So, it wouldn't be wrong to say that now the Mumbaikars can experience more with new smaller businesses that came alive during the pandemic. This project will make home-run workshops more accessible to the city.

This urban regeneration programme will also uplift the residents. It will provide them with homes in skyscrapers where each family will have a minimum space of 350 square feet. This will accommodate a living room, a bedroom, and indoor toilets. To ease the transition, SBUT has currently built commercial and residential transit facilities for tenants while the new premises get ready.

The legacy of Bhendi Bazaar:

Bhendi Bazaar is iconic, one of the most crowded markets in the city, and offers a plethora of things. Be it the delectable Bohri cuisine or the lip-smacking street food or hardware, timber, antique items, clothing, Bhendi Bazaar is a shoppers paradise. There are many shops in the lanes that have been around for a while and kind of represents the vibe of Bhendi Bazaar. Moreover, many new entrepreneurs have also started doing their business here. Bhendi Bazaar has opened its arms for everyone, some stores have a legacy to share, suggesting why this market is one of the most visited markets in Mumbai.

Tawakkal Sweets

Established in the year 1955, Tawakkal Sweets is a one-stop destination servicing customers all across Mumbai. Over the course of its journey, this business has established a firm foothold in its industry. With its 3 branches at Husainiyah Marg, Pakmodia Street, Bohri Mohalla, and J J Hospital, this sweet shop is loved for its high-quality mithais. Be it laddoos, jalebis, gulab jamun, or Bengali sweets, Tawakkal Sweets offers something for everybody. Over the years, the shop has become a landmark in the region, and the establishment has been a part of the locality for years. It's even been visited by celebrities like Kangna Ranauat, Ranveer Brar, and Salman Khan.

Mariya Attarwala

Mariya’s professional journey with designing jhablas started inadvertently after the birth of her first daughter. In the early 2000s, designing these outfits for her newborn daughter was just a passion project for her. However, these became a thing of appreciation when others spotted her daughter in Jhablas and wanted to know where did she buy the jhablas from. Upon their insistence, she started making those jhablas for her friends and family, too.

Coming from an enterprising Dawoodi Bohra family, Mariya’s path to entrepreneurship started in 2003 when she started taking on orders to design and sew these garments. Driven by the boost in confidence that she received from her clients and the community, along with her husband’s unwavering support, 8 years later, she started a workshop to expand her hobby into a full-fledged business.

Also Read: Get your hands on gadgets from these electronic markets in Mumbai!

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