India, Dec. 9 -- The redevelopment of 388 old and dilapidated Mhada buildings in South Mumbai may finally move forward. After attempts by these housing societies to invite private developers failed, the state housing agency has agreed to redevelop these buildings if approached by housing societies, in groups.

The redevelopment of these 388 buildings has been in limbo mainly due to their small plot size, which makes it unviable for private builders to take up these projects. Another reason is the absence of consensus among housing societies.

A total of 27,373 families live in these 388 crumbling buildings, scattered across South Mumbai, in areas such as Colaba, Girgaon, Mumbadevi, Byculla, Sewri, Prabhadevi, and Mahim. Each building has ...