Skyscrapers lift up lives at redeveloped Bhendi Bazaar

Clad in a faded purple Rida, the traditional dress of the Bohra women, Rashida Saifuddin Kudrati gazes outside the window of her 13th-floor room. She lovingly looks at the white-domed Raudat Tahera, the tomb that houses graves of two past leaders---51st Syedna Taher Saifuddin and his son and successor 52nd Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin—of the one-million worldwide Dawoodi Bohras. “Many of my community members travel from far to see Raudat Tahera. I feel blessed as I see it innumerable times daily,” says an emotional Kudrati, a homemaker.

- Mohammed.Wajihuddin

The Kudratis are among 650 families and 128 shop owners who have moved from transit accommodations to two skyscrapers—Al-Saadah A (36 stories) and B (41 storeys)—at the Bhendi Bazaar being redeveloped by Saifee Burhani Upliftment Trust (SBUT). A dream project of Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin and spread over 16.5 acres in the heart of the city, the clustered project, on completion, will free 3200 families and 1250 shop owners from their rented, crammed, crowded living in 250 dilapidated buildings.

They have begun moving into self-owned ultra-modern, infrastructure-endowed (attached bathrooms in each room, two-level basements as well as three to six levels parking, high street shopping experience, to name just a few) residences.