India’s Biggest Urban Makeover: 20,000 Families in Mumbai’s Bhendi Bazaar to Get Free Homes

Mumbai’s Bhendi Bazaar, home to thousands from the Muslim community, is set to receive a facelift as the redevelopment project led by Saifee Burhani Upliftment Trust has received massive support from the inhabitants of the British era settlement. After completion, the buildings will rehouse over 20,000 people who were living in 250 crumbling buildings in the Muslim enclave. The project is serving as an example of communal cooperation in the city.

The developer will have the right to privately sell 20% of the acquired land in exchange for building the towers with new homes and shops for all the current residents, trust’s CEO Abbas Master informed. The trust will provide a minimum of 350 square feet to residents for free, as well as free housing in the interim period.

More than 80% of the buildings in the area under development had been declared unsafe and unfit for habitation. While over 17,000 families have signed over their property to the developer for reconstruction, around 10% of the families are still holding on.

Redevelopment in Mumbai has remained a contentious issue. ‘Wherever there is change there is reluctance. Generally, people don’t have faith in developers,’ the project engineer said in a conversation with Bloomberg.

A large part of the critical infrastructure in India’s metropolitan cities, including housing, is in dire state. As major Indian cities take up redevelopment projects, the sector will facilitate economic activity of as much as $4.8 billion and employment to thousands over the next decade. The project will pave way for more such endeavors and will also add to the economic vibrancy of the city.