Mumbai, March 31 (NationPress) — In a significant administrative shift, the Maharashtra Government has appointed senior IAS officer Ashwini Bhide, of the 1995 batch, as the Municipal Commissioner of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) on Tuesday. This milestone makes her the first female to head India’s wealthiest civic body.

The official announcement, made by Subhash Umranikar, Joint Secretary to the Maharashtra Government, reveals that Bhide will take over from Bhushan Gagrani, who retired from his position on the same day.

Among the other candidates considered for the BMC Commissioner role were Aseem Gupta, Anil Diggikar, Milind Mhaiskar, and Sanjay Mukherjee. However, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis chose Bhide, despite her being junior to some of the other contenders.

Before this appointment, Bhide served as the Additional Chief Secretary in the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO). She is well-regarded for her administrative acumen and has played a crucial role in significant infrastructure initiatives, such as the Mumbai Metro Line 3.

Until further directives are issued, Ashwini Bhide will also maintain her role as the Managing Director of the Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation (MMRC).

Bhide’s appointment is timely, coinciding with Mumbai's extensive urban development, which includes the completion of the Coastal Road and various phases of the Metro.

Her extensive experience within the BMC—having previously served as an Additional Municipal Commissioner—positions her well to tackle the city's intricate civic issues.

Additionally, Bhide will step into her new role shortly after the BMC’s budget of ₹80,952 crore for the fiscal year 2026-27 was presented. Managing this budget while honoring electoral commitments will be among her key responsibilities.

Her reputation for a pragmatic approach to governance is expected to tighten oversight over the BMC’s substantial budget and essential pre-monsoon desilting efforts.

Bhide has held numerous important positions, including Additional Commissioner at the BMC during the COVID-19 pandemic, Secretary of School Education where she initiated the SARAL database to digitize educational and administrative records, and Addl. Metropolitan Commissioner at MMRDA, where she was involved in major projects like the Eastern Freeway, Sahar Elevated Access Road, and the Mumbai Monorail. She also served as Joint/Deputy Secretary to the Governor and CEO of Nagpur and Sindhudurg zilla parishads.

Her adept handling of the politically sensitive Aarey Colony controversy during the Mumbai Metro 3 project showcased her resilience, making her a reliable choice for the current administration to manage challenging civic matters.

Meanwhile, the government has made strategic appointments to ensure a seamless transition. Lokesh Chandra (IAS), who serves as the Chairman and Managing Director of the Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company, has been selected to replace Ashwini Bhide as the Additional Chief Secretary in the CMO. He will also assume her additional duties, including that of Additional Chief Secretary (Mining).