Bhendi Bazaar redvpt: Some happy, some very unhappy

As the second phase of the Bhendi Bazaar redevelopment project spread over 16.5 acres gets underway, 270 business and shop owners are now being allotted keys and shifted to their new commercial premises to the Al-Ezz Towers in a phased manner. 

The cluster redevelopment project is being initiated by the Saifee Burhani Upliftment Trust (SBUT).According to SBUT spokesperson, of the four towers that make up the second phase, two towers have received part Occupancy Certificates (OC). "The commercial ground plus two floors in these towers are ready and so we have invited the shop keepers to collect their keys and start making the shift." But not all shop owners are gung ho about their new premises. Fakhruddin Mithaiwala, owner of the famed Fakhri Farsan Mart whose family has been in the mithai and farsan business for over 75 years, says, "I have been allotted a street front shop on the first floor. Although I have been compensated with more space-380 sq ft area against my original shop which was only 280 sq ft - I am doubtful about my business doing well on the first level. It's not conducive. All my competitors are on the ground floor. Who will come one floor up to buy 100g and 250g of farsan? Obviously I will have to rethink my business module".