Chor Bazar makeover on cards, traders reluctant to relocate

It was known as ‘Shor Bazaar’ or noisy market during British rule. Eventually it came to be called as ‘Chor Bazaar’ or the marketof thieves. Famous for its antique products among both Indians and foreigners, this market is set to be redeveloped under the Bhendi Bazaar Cluster Development Project (BBCDP).

The BBCDP spreads across 16.5 acres of land and Chor Bazaar is likely to be developed in the second phase. The market, which is one of India’s most popular flea markets with over 100 shops selling products ranging from lamps, automobile parts, electronic goods, antiques and paintings, will be completely transformed after the project.

 

“Buildings will have ground plus one or ground plus two floors for commercial users with separate entrances. The shops of Chor Bazaar will be relocated to these spaces,” said Shaikh Abdealibhai Bhanpurawala, one of the trustees of the Saifee Burhani Upliftment Trust (SBUT), which is implementing the project. He added that SBUT would ensure that proper visibility is provided to shops and its products.

The shopkeepers are, however, wary of the plan. “If we are relocated, how will the visitors locate our stores? What is the guarantee that I would get the same number of customers that I get now?,” asked a dealer of antique lamps. Bhanpurawala defends the plan. “The shops would be located within 50 to 100 metres of the existing project, giving them the same location would not be possible under the cluster development plan.”

Some traders at Chor Bazaar have nostalgic memories about the market. “This shop has been there for the past 85 years. Earlier, ships from the Mazgaon Port used to come to our shop for repairs. We still possess some old ship parts, some of which are for sale while others are for display,” said a dealer in antique figurines.

He said Chor Bazaar was more like an organised set and its beauty will be lost if the structure or display was altered even slightly. A Mughal style paintings trader further said: “Even if we shift, it takes a lot of time to settle down. So our business is bound to be affected.” He recalled the moments when Bollywood actors Dilip Kumar and Saira Bano walked the streets of this historic market.

Traders are also apprehensive that the rents at the new establishment would be very high. “I do not know whether we will be able to afford the rent. Moreover, we also repair items and resell them. I wonder how that will be possible in malls,” said a dealer in automobile spare parts. Another dealer said they will not agree to the plan unless the Chor Bazaar union asks them to do so, after all their demands are met.

Bhanpurawala said meetings with the shopkeepers would begin after Eid and all their grievances would be taken into account. “There is a lot of confusion among traders regarding the project. Some believe that malls would be constructed for them, which is not true. All this would be resolved in the meeting with them.”

“Right now, the shopkeepers are staying in shabby conditions. After it is developed, traders will have a better lifestyle, society and surroundings.” Bhanpurawala told Business Standard that the project is set to begin by early 2012 once the Ministry of Environment and Forests and the high rise committee approve the plan. The certification process by the Maharashtra Housing and Development Authority has started.

However, it is business as usual at Chor Bazaar with customers thronging the shops sifting through the items and trying to find pieces of treasure.