Bhendi Bazaar, one of Mumbai’s oldest and most densely populated neighbourhoods, is undergoing a historic transformation through the Saifee Burhani Upliftment Project (SBUT). Spearheaded by the Saifee Burhani Upliftment Trust, this 16.5-acre redevelopment initiative aims to redefine urban renewal in India by replacing dilapidated structures with high-rise, sustainable infrastructure, without displacing the community’s cultural and commercial core.

Home to over 25,000 residents and 1,250 businesses, Bhendi Bazaar had seen its infrastructure deteriorate, with more than 70 percent of buildings considered unsafe. SBUT adopted a people-first redevelopment model, offering residents larger, well-ventilated apartments with private bathrooms and natural lighting. Residents were relocated to dedicated transit accommodations and will return as rightful owners of modern homes in newly constructed towers. The commercial vibrancy of Bhendi Bazaar is also being preserved through the development of organized retail spaces and wider roads, establishing the area as India’s first high street shopping experience, while addressing chronic congestion. Sustainability is central to the redevelopment.

The new infrastructure includes solar panels, rainwater harvesting systems, sewage treatment plants, and a central garbage management system. Over 700 trees and green zones are being added to ensure a greener, more eco-friendly neighbourhood. Parking, once a pressing issue, is being resolved through dedicated parking infrastructure, while road widening efforts improve vehicular flow and pedestrian movement.

The entire project is envisioned as a smart, sustainable micro-city within Mumbai. Phase-1, completed in 2019 and named Al-Sa’adah, introduced two high-rise towers housing 610 families and 128 businesses. These Fatimid-inspired towers replaced crumbling structures and set the tone for the redevelopment’s aesthetic and community focus. Construction of Phase-2 is actively underway with Al-Ezz (Sector-6) and An-Nasr (Sector-4). Once completed, they will accommodate thousands more, continuing SBUT’s mission to rebuild Bhendi Bazaar as a modern, inclusive, and resilient community.