Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Saturday announced the implementation of a Slum Cluster Redevelopment scheme for plots larger than 50 acres across Mumbai, marking a major push to accelerate large-scale urban renewal. Addressing the Legislative Council, Shinde said the scheme would be implemented collectively on private, government and semi-government plots measuring 50 acres or more. In the first phase, 17 major locations have been identified, including Antop Hill, Krishna Nagar and Ketkipada in Borivali, Gopikrishna Nagar in Dahisar, Oshiwara, Govandi, Chita Camp in Trombay, Chembur, Tagore Nagar in Vikhroli, Vikhroli Parksite and Bhandup. Shinde said the state Cabinet approved the scheme on October 7, following which a Government Resolution was issued on November 13. The projects will be executed on a joint venture basis with the support of public agencies such as the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority, City and Industrial Development Corporation, Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation, Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation, Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority and the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation. Additional locations are expected to be taken up in the second phase. The Deputy Chief Minister also announced that the SRA Abhay Scheme has been extended until December 31, 2026. The scheme is aimed at resolving technical hurdles faced by citizens in buying, selling or transferring slum structures. Shinde said the absence of provisions to include new occupants’ names in the Final Appendix-II had created fears that thousands of families could lose their eligibility for permanent housing. In addition, MHADA’s ongoing amnesty scheme for Occupancy Certificates has been extended by one year. To speed up grievance resolution, Shinde said the government will increase the number of Apex Grievance Redressal Committees, noting that 2,103 cases related to slum redevelopment are currently pending.