Chairman Lokhandwala Infrastructure
Date of birth: Apr 1, 1944
Present employee strength: 300
Success mantra: Work is worship
Mohammed Lokhandwala of Lokhandwala Infrastructure feels strongly about the lack of parking space in the city and suggests that the number of parking slots must correspond to the number of rooms in a flat
Parking is the biggest problem in Mumbai,” says the 68 year old Chairman of Lokhandwala Infrastructure as I step into his plush Worli office. “Parking space is akin to one of the basic necessities today, along with roti, kapada and makaan,” he quips as he hands me his card. “As per the new Development Control (DC) rules made by the BMC in early 2012, a buyer is not to have more than one parking slot, irrespective of how big the flat may be. However, buyers would not settle for anything less than two parking slots. This way, not a single flat will be sold,” he sighs. So what is the solution? “I think the number of parking slots should correspond to the number of rooms in a flat, otherwise sale of flats will be very difficult,” he explains while admitting to being occupied with the issue since the last one week.
By virtue of being the driving force behind one of the most prominent real estate firms in the city, and having 20 multi-crore projects in pipeline over the next three years right in the heart of the city, this concern is easily understandable. “We have huge projects coming up on prime land, right from Lower Parel to Worli to Ghatkopar, and hence each and every policy affects us in some or the other way,” explains the commerce graduate who dropped out of the final year of his CA exams to chart out his own path and at the age of 20, kicked off his first stint in business by establishing a hardware manufacturing unit, employing over 225 workers. “After 20 years, when the real estate scene in India, especially in Mumbai, was evolving rapidly, I decided to take a plunge and the connections I had established in the industry through my business, helped me immensely in giving me a smooth transition. I think it was the right decision at the right time, and the right opportunity came by me,” relates Lokhandwala.
That’s what they call luck, isn’t it? Who knew by the time he’d celebrate his seventieth birthday, ‘Lokhandwala’ would have moved from a surname to a brand name to reckon with, which would later be added to the league of most powerful developers in the city. But there’s much more to it, than fate. “I’m a grassroots person. I believe in going into the market myself and sweating it out. It’s different to report and be reported to. I have this habit of checking everything myself than leaving it onto others,” says the astute visionary who is also a doting father of three, his two sons Moiz Lokhandwala and Aliasgar Lokhandwala who very aptly sit on his left and right, are indeed his two hands which assist him in managing the business and looking after every project with due diligence, while daughter Rashida is married. “Earlier I wanted to do everything myself, but now, my two sons have eased the burden and look after most affairs, all by themselves.”
The chairman says his company is already on a fast growth trajectory and is rising higher with each project. “Since 1986, the year I stepped into the construction industry, we have witnessed an enormous growth. Our main presence is in Maharashtra, and we have our own land in Mumbai, Lonavala, Umadgaon, Panvel, and other areas where we are building residential and commercial properties. Our main focus in the coming years, however, will be on redeveloping old and dilapidated buildings and rehabilitating slum dwellers while providing them with affordable housing options. The company, as of date, has provided housing to over 3500 families and plans to provide shelter to an additional 10,000 families in the next three years.
When I ask him which was his most challenging project till date, Lokhandwala doesn’t even take a second before answering, “It has to be Minerva, my flagship project.” The 85-storeyed tower which is currently under construction will offer lavish 3BHK and 5BHK apartments with luxurious 6BHK duplexes and a mesmerising view of the Arabian sea, and come to be defined as one of the most iconic towers of Mumbai. But it wasn’t an easy task. “The biggest hurdle was the eviction of 2100 families, litigation process that seemed to go on forever, but in the end the struggle was worth it,” he says with pride.
Where can we find the chairman, when he isn’t building blocks? “Either at a social gathering or the community dinners or sometimes when I go for charity work,” he says. Lokhandwala is associated with a number of charity trusts and welfare activities, as he believes in giving back to the society and helping people.
COMPANY BACKGROUND
A professionally managed ISO 9001:2008 certified company, Lokhandwala Infrastructure has developed several prestigious projects in Mumbai and in Dubai. The company has attained great heights and has won several accolades and honours, courtesy its business philosophy based on transparency, accountability and social responsibility. The corporate philosophy, "Rise above" is aptly reflects their penchant for delivering quality and exceeding expectations with every new initiative.
COMPLETED PROJECTS
Lady Ratan Tower, Worli, Lokhandwala residency, Worli, Lokhandwala galaxy, byculla, Lokhandwala Zahra, Worli, Ram House, Babulnath, Queens Court, Worli, Empress Court, Worli, Harmony, Worli
ONGOING PROJECTS
Victoria, Worli, City park, Andheri-Kurla road, Minerva, Mahalaxmi, Panorama Mazgaon
CSR ACTIVITIES UNDERTAKEN
Lokhandwala is an active member of Lions Clubs International and donor to National Association of Blind. Under his leadership several Lions Clubs organised service projects such as free medical & eye checkups, blood donation camps, diabetes checkup, polio corrective surgery, cataract operations etc. Also, as a Trustee of Lokhandwala Foundation, which undertakes many charitable activities, such as granting aid to schools, colleges and educational institutions, hospitals, medical schools, colleges, orphanage, etc.
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