November 13, 2025: Mumbai’s Bhendi Bazaar is undergoing a dramatic transformation as part of the Bhendi Bazaar Redevelopment Project, replacing crumbling chawls with modern homes, wider streets, and green, child-friendly spaces. Once defined by narrow lanes, overcrowded rooms, and poor sanitation, the neighbourhood is now emerging as a model for urban renewal focused on families and children.
For decades, families lived in tiny 100-square-foot rooms, often shared across generations. Children played in alleys amid traffic, with little access to sunlight or open space. Led by the Saifee Burhani Upliftment Trust (SBUT), the project is redeveloping 16.5 acres of one of Mumbai’s densest areas into a sustainable and inclusive urban environment.
Families moving into the new homes now enjoy nearly four times more space, with private bathrooms, proper ventilation, and abundant natural light. “A child who once studied under a flickering bulb in a damp room can now read by sunlight. Another who once shared a single toilet with dozens of neighbours now grows up in a hygienic, private environment,” highlighting the profound impact on children’s daily lives.
The redevelopment features podium-level recreational areas, dedicated play zones, and nearly 700 trees and shrubs, creating a safe and breathable environment. Streets are being widened from 7 to 18 meters, accompanied by proper footpaths, pedestrian zones, and improved lighting, enabling children to walk safely to school or play outdoors. Shops and cultural spaces remain integrated, but urban design now prioritizes mobility and safety.
Experts view Bhendi Bazaar as a blueprint for other densely populated Indian neighbourhoods, demonstrating that urban growth can be human-centric. By prioritising safety, hygiene, and play, the project preserves the area’s vibrant cultural heritage while creating spaces where children can flourish.
For the city’s youngest residents, the changes are transformative—allowing safer play, cleaner air, and more freedom. This Children’s Day, Bhendi Bazaar stands as a living example that urban redevelopment can restore hope and redefine what childhood in a bustling city can look like.
Source: Realty Plus
