Around 500 residents refuse to relocate as per the Bhendi Bazar Redevelopment Plan

After the Hussainiwala’s building crash, the Saifee Burhani Upliftment Trust was responsible to allocate the residence of the Bhendi Bazaar and fix the old buildings, under the ‘Bhendi Bazaar redevelopment’ plan. Efforts have been put to rehabilitate people, however, there has been no progress in this case.

Earlier on August 31, 2017, Hussainiwala’s building in Bhendi Bazaar suddenly collapsed leading to the death of 34 people and this incident left many injured. After the incident, the Burhani Trust was expected to relocate the residents of the Bazaar but until now nothing has been done.

Around 400 to 500 dwellers are still living in those ramshackle buildings and they refuse to move despite the efforts made to persuade the residents. As the Burhani Trust is accountable, naturally, for the safety of the residents, the pressure now has increased, keeping the timeframe in mind. During the rainy season, the old buildings are usually at risk. So, what will the Burhani Trust do to cater to this problem?

Earlier in 2011, MHADA sent a notice to the Burhani Trust to transfer the residents to the transit camps set up in Kurla and Mazgaon. As directed, the trust has started the process of transferring the residents but many residents have decided to stay in those old building, refusing to migrate.

According to the information given by the Burhanichi Trust spokesperson to Mumbai Live, the amount of rent paid to the residents has been increased from 15 to 30 thousand. The spokesperson informed that the two years of rent was given to the residents. After explaining to the residents, even after doubling the amount of rent, there are still a  that the 400-500 residents unwilling to move.

Maharashtra Housing and Development Authority (MHADA) handed over the Bhendi Bazar Redevelopment Plan to the Burhani Trust, which meant that the trust is assigned to take care of 256 buildings spreads across 16 acres of land. Under this redevelopment plan, almost 4221 residents will be rehabilitated and this project which costs ₹400 crore was handed over to the Burhani Trust in the year 2010.