Badlav for Bhendi Bazaar: A look at its redevelopment project through the lens

A panoramic shot from Al Sa’adah tower with markings of the building names. Pics Courtesy/Sanjog Mhatre

Zooming, unchecked two-wheelers, a cheek-by-jowl bazaar, shanties and worn out century-old buildings, and scrumptious Bohri delicacies. This would be a typical description of a regular day at SoBo's Bhendi Bazar. However, photographer and founder of Towering Goals, Sanjog Mhatre's recent panoramic photograph from the neighbourhood's three-year-old Al-Sa'adah Towers marks the beginning of a new-age Bhendi Bazaar.

The photograph aims at documenting the cluster redevelopment phases of the area, which was envisioned by Saifee Burhani Upliftment Trust (SBUT) in 2009, began in 2016 and completed its first phase (Al-Sa'adah) of three in 2020. Captured from the northward facing building, the panorama features and identifies 85 buildings along the stretch of Worli, right till Wadala.

Bhendi Bazaar's aerial view in 2017

The 25-year-old cityscape photography enthusiast was aware back in 2019 that this was one of the most significant redevelopment plans in the city and that he must document this. "Bhendi Bazaar is one area that I believe could use a newer way of life. I reached out to SBUT in 2019, when Al Sa'adah was almost complete. As a person who documents the constantly changing landscape of the city, I didn't want to miss this opportunity. I followed up on the message again this year in February, and they finally responded, granting me permission to get my shot from the first tower that is up and running in the area," Mhatre shares, adding that he took the pictures of the surrounding buildings separately on August 10. "I sewed all the pictures together to create the panorama. Then, I started labelling all the buildings in sight. I didn't know the name of one building in Mazgaon, and so I went there and found out that it is called Continental Heights. I added the label to my image and only then was my panorama complete."

The ongoing second phase of the redevelopment project

When we reached out to SBUT, a representative from the trust elaborated about the redevelopment project, "The redevelopment is divided into three phases. The first one, Al-Sa'adah stands completed; it already accommodates 610 families and 128 businesses, who now have more structured spaces and shops than before. The second phase [Al-Ezz and An Nasr towers] and the third phase [mosques] have begun, and are estimated to be completed between 2025 and 2026. We are also focusing on sustainable and a greener lifestyle. The area which once had next to no trees, now already has over 700 trees planted."

Sanjog Mhatre

For reference, Mhatre shows us a picture he clicked in 2017 from Bismillah Heights in Nagpada. The area where Al Sa'adah now stands was once a cluster of small, clustered buildings. "Everybody knows what the gullies and buildings of Mumbai look like. But it is when you get a top shot that you really visualise the changing
landscapes of the city," he signs off.

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Hear it from the veteran

I call myself a student of nostalgia. And I am aware that development is necessary, but as a person who was born in and grew up in Bhendi Bazaar, I'd be lying if I told you I won't miss the good, old days.

This area is divided into mohallas, and has several small 10x10 kholis [rooms in chawls], which will gradually disappear. The houses here have the otla [a semi-covered space, like a verandah], or Mangalore-tiled roofs, which protect homes from Mumbai's rains.

There were 250 buildings in the nearly 17-acre land of Bhendi Bazaar. At least 3,000 families have been relocated from here for redevelopment. In the 1850s and 1870s, the development plans by the British focused on docks, railways and textiles. Many who worked in these fields found a place here. Having a makaan [home] and dukaan [office] in the same space is also something that is very unique to the Bhendi Bazaar neighbourhood.

Many Bollywood stars like Meena Kumari, Raj Kapoor and even Javed Akhtar found home in the food served in the restaurants here. One such famous name is Haji Hotel that shut down recently. These are some aspects that will vanish with redevelopment and surely be missed. Hence, I am currently also working on Bhendi Bazaar Research Academy, which will conduct research on and document the area's people, culture, architecture, roads, and mohallas, among other topics.

Advocate Zubair Azmi, director of Urdu Markaz, Mumbai