Bhendi Bazaar Redevelopment Project: MHADA out of reserve space for lottery-drawn surplus houses

Mumbai: The Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority (MHADA) will not have reserve space for lottery-drawn surplus houses for one of Mumbai's biggest cluster redevelopment projects, Bhendi Bazaar, which spreads over 16.5 acres of land parcel.

As per the Development Control Regulation (DCR) 2034, if the total rehabilitation Floor Space Index (FSI) + incentive FSI is less than 4, then the Balance FSI over and above the total of "rehabilitation FSI + incentive FSI" is shared in terms of Built-up area (BUA) between MHADA and the Promoter/Developer. In the Bhendi-Bazaar redevelopment case, the rehabilitation FSI and incentive FSI are beyond 4 as per the Saifee Burhani Upliftment Trust (SBUT). Therefore, the reserve space for MHADA is not applicable in this project.

The redevelopment project is taking place after the demolition of old cess buildings. The cessed buildings are those for which the government collects tax for a repair fund. The Mumbai repair and reconstruction board of MHADA is the one that carries out cess collection. Although owned by landowners, the other tenants are co-owners, popularly called Pagdi tenants.

Meanwhile, the SBUT has initiated the Phase 2 rehab building construction work at full speed for Sectors 4 and 6. According to the SBUT, Sector 6, named Al-Ezz (meaning ‘Honour'), spreads over a plot area of approx 1.34 acres and will have two towers of 53 storeys each. The premises will house more than 1350 families and over 250 shops. The opposite Sector 4, named An-Nasr (meaning ‘Victory’), covers approx. 1.5 acres of land and will comprise two towers of 53 storeys and 54 storeys each. An-Nasr will accommodate 1350+ families and 270+ shops. Phase 2 is targeted to be completed by 2024.

This project aims to provide the urban infrastructure with wider roads, better stormwater drains and sewers, and improved quality of water and piped gas supply. The rooftop solar panels here will generate approximately 600 kW of grid-interactive energy, accounting for 5 % of the total consumption, while a better electrical distribution network will reduce line losses. Also, solar-powered lights will be used on the streets and in public areas like staircases, reducing electricity consumption by a further 10%. The buildings are aligned on the North-South Axis to avoid heat ingress, and the spacing between buildings ensures better air circulation.

This will transform Bhendi Bazaar into a diverse, sustainable community with a healthy neighbourhood, creating a vibrant modern urban area.

Published on: Tuesday, July 05, 2022, 12:10 AM IST