Mumbai, March 31 (NationPress) Following her appointment as the first female Commissioner of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), Ashwini Bhide, an officer of the 1995 batch of the Indian Administrative Service, announced that her primary agenda will be the completion and integration of ongoing mega-projects.

During her initial press briefing after taking over from Bhushan Gagrani, who retired today, Bhide, often referred to as the Metro Woman, committed to accelerating the final phases of the Mumbai Coastal Road and multiple Metro lines, including Line 3, which she had previously overseen.

She pointed out that Mumbai is at a pivotal moment of transformation and necessitates coordinated efforts among various agencies to minimize public disruption.

With the monsoon season approaching, Bhide underscored the importance of flood mitigation as a top concern. She assured the citizens of Mumbai that she would personally manage the desilting operations and ensure the city's drainage systems are equipped to handle significant rainfall.

“Ensuring the comfort of citizens during the monsoon is a non-negotiable priority,” she remarked, vowing to take a no-nonsense approach in enforcing contractors' deadlines.

With the BMC’s budget for 2026-27 surpassing Rs 80,000 crore, Bhide elaborated on her responsibility to govern India’s wealthiest municipal body.

She aims to implement stricter financial oversight and ensure that every rupee is utilized to enhance the quality of life for the taxpayers.

Additionally, she spoke about improving the digital delivery of civic services to streamline processes and boost transparency.

Reflecting on her historic role as the first woman to lead the BMC, she expressed her gratitude and pledged to be an accessible and results-driven commissioner.

She emphasized the importance of stability and expertise, leveraging her prior experience as Additional Municipal Commissioner to hit the ground running.

Bhide stated, “I appreciate the Maharashtra government for this opportunity. I would also like to commend Bhushan Gagrani on his successful tenure at the BMC. I joined civil services inspired by him. He hails from Kolhapur, while I am from Sangli, so succeeding him is especially significant for me. My four critical years in the BMC, including during the COVID crisis, have been invaluable. This institution, with over 150 years of legacy, carries immense heritage while continuously evolving. As I assume the role of Commissioner, I look forward to facing new challenges with my team and building upon the work of my predecessors to deliver our best.”