Ten years back could you have imagined that India would come up with a multi-storey, multi project like in the foreign countries? More and more malls are coming up these days and people are very happy. A place where you get your vegetables and even jewellery from Rs.5 per kilo to Rs.50,000 per carat everyone is happy. Here it is the same thing. This is one industry the whole of India is proud of. It is the second largest export earner," this was {{Kanubhai Shah}}, the Vice-Chairman of the {{Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC)}} speaking at the Bharat Diamond Bourse grounds.%% The {{Bharat Diamond Bourse}} at one time came to a grinding halt and the future of the structure looked bleak. Ever since a determined move in 2000 to complete the project, the BDB team has been working in and out to make the Rs.900-bourse come true. %% Recently {{BDB}} Committee called upon the traders who have booked space in the giant complex to witness the progress of the structure which is nearing completion. Thus putting to rest all disbelief and leaving little doubt in the mind of the allottees that Bharat Diamond Bourse is after all going to be a reality. %% That is one of the reason we have called on the allottees and members interacting at the premises. One or two sessions like this we will also understand what their problems are and try and coordinate," said {{Anoop Mehta}}, President of BDB.%% And there is no doubt "this is going to be the best place in Mumbai. Things are very much in control. Except for the lapse of three-four years some time back when the project came to a standstill. People had doubts if this project would ever get completed. But now the confidence is building up. The allottees have been given the maps to go and see their place in the bourse; everything is working out well. The payments are coming in regularly," says co-convenor Harshitbhai J. Kothari.

The Super Structure

The eight-building massive complex is interconnected. "In certain buildings due to some technical aspect one may have to either go up one floor or go down one floor to access the adjoining building," clarified {{Harshitbhai J. Kothari}}. Otherwise one can move with ease from one building to another.%% Indeed, the long stretch of offices seemed unending as the committee members took the allottees on a survey of the almost completed construction. One of the allottees was elated to spot his office. They instantly recognized the office plot marked in the map as they moved from floor to floor. Soon the possession of offices would be given to the allottees for doing the interiors.

Possessions Soon:

"Most of the offices up to the fourth tower we are going to give them possession for interior by May end and the rest of the towers sometime in September or October. Landscaping of the peripheral work is starting and in eight to 10 months the work on the entire complex is likely to be completed by the time we actually shift to the complex. Building automation, security system and other works have already started. Today we have inaugurated the air-conditioning system. The lifts are also working very well," revealed {{Kaushik Mehta}}, Vice President of BDB.%% In a more optimistic note, Anoop Mehta said: "By the end of this year all the buildings will be ready for possession. In fact, all the seven buildings will be handed over for interiors."%% Though the eighth tower is all cements and walls, Anoop Mehta was confident that by July-end the construction will be over and then "we will give it to them". %% The construction is almost over and the allottees too will get possession of the premises to do the interiors this year as per the schedule. But the transition from Opera House to BDB in itself is a colossal process.

Entering the 21st Century:

There will be a gap of one year between possession and commencement of business. By the end of this year allotees will be given possession so that they can do the internal work and design in consultation with the architect. Thereafter there is infrastructure that is to be taken care. The banks, the customs, etc., once all this is in place, the actual operation will start. In this business 80% of the big houses once they turn up the rest will follow automatically. There is no option left to them," said {{Kanubhai Shah}}. "Shifting of the entire trade is a very big issue. There will be a movement of 50,000 people including traders, office owners, staff and other ancillary units who will be shifting here. Hence this is a big and difficult process as 2,400 new offices are going to be set up. Their interiors and other works is not an easy task. But the way the market is responding and the urge that people want to go to a bigger and better place, in new environment, more sophisticated accommodation with better security system, better tele-communications system, better building management system that means rather each one of us is bracing to meet the 21st century," added {{Kaushik Mehta.}}

The Transformation:

Going reminiscent about the beginning of the diamond trade, Kanubhai said: "In those days there was a market at Dhanji Street. Now it has shifted to Opera House. When the market shifts, the residential area shifts, the primary necessity elements shift. Hence in a couple of years time Bandra-Kurla Complex will be a place which everyone will be looking forward to. This is a huge project. Each and everything will be looked after for the valuable trade.%% Under one roof, any business will flourish. It is an advantage. Everything is at your command. You want to export there is a Custom House. You want buyers, there are buyers… everything is at hand. You can move from one office to another. There will be no need to go from one place to another. %% "You don't have to go out like Prasad Chamber, wait for 15 minutes for the lift, then come out then go to Panchratna then wait for another 10 minutes go to Shreeji. Here everything is connected under one roof. Since the trade has grown there is no other alternative. Since the time when this project was planned, the trade has grown five to six times. Traders have increased.%% "Banks have major say in this. At least 46 banks have approached BDB for space. In Opera House we don't have even six banks. Majority of the banks that are providing finance to this trade have approached us. But it will not be possible to accommodate all of them," he added.

Budget Management:

"We are very positive. The whole plan is very positive. We are determined to stick to the budget of Rs.900 crore," said Anoop Mehta. %% "More than 80-85% of the allotees are paying up their shares". added {{Harshitbhai}}.%% Confirming Anoop Mehta, Kaushikbhai said: "The payments are regular. Except the last five instalments we have received more than 98% dues of the last five instalments we have received around 75-80%."

Transportation Plans:

"There could be some hitches here and there like transportation how staff will travel from Mahim and other central stations, etc. We have taken up the matter with MMRDA and things are moving in the positive direction. MMRDA has been requested to take measures so as to make travelling from the railway station to the BDB convenient. We have also submitted our proposals and plans for this. We have proposed a flyover or a new station between Bandra and Mahim. MMRDA is also working on a flyover from the station. If everything is implemented as proposed like transportation is likely to be taken care of," explained Kaushik Mehta.%% "In fact the work has already started on the flyover. And commuting to this place should not be a problem and once the bridge is up in 2006 or 2007 that will make movement easier," added Anoop Mehta.

Tight Security:

As far as security is concerned, Kaushik Mehta has confidence in the Mumbai Police Department and for internal security we are installing the most sophisticated systems and only those with proper identity cards will be permitted inside the premises. %% "The whole diamond business will be better organized here and that is what people are looking forward to. That is why they all want to move in soon. It is a more organized place and movement is much easier. There is much more efficient when you work at one place," said Anoop Mehta.%% "This bourse is going to be a project that is to benefit the entire diamond trade. It is not only a question of getting a new and big complex but the entire system is sophisticated and promises a new environment. This project is going to play a major part in the future of the diamond trade and I wish that people will understand this and whole heartedly support and patronize this great facility as early as possible," concluded Kaushik Mehta.