Mumbai, Jan 21 (NationPress) In a pivotal step towards enhancing the living standards of the city’s law enforcement personnel, the Maharashtra government has appointed senior IAS officer Iqbal Singh Chahal as the Chairman of the Mumbai Police Housing Township Project. This appointment was made public via an official notification dated January 21, 2026, and will commence on February 1, 2026, right after Chahal's retirement from active duty on January 31.

Chahal was a leading candidate for the position of state chief secretary but did not secure it due to the appointment of Rajesh Agarwal.

The Mumbai Police Housing Township Project is a large-scale initiative aimed at developing nearly 45,000 residential units for police personnel and their families. With an estimated budget of Rs 20,000 crore, the project aims to combat the persistent lack of affordable and quality housing for the police force. The state Cabinet approved the project in its meeting last Saturday.

As per the notification, Chahal’s term as Chairman will span five years, with a rank and status equivalent to that of a Minister of State. He will operate under the direct administrative oversight of the Chief Minister through the Home Department.

Chahal will receive a consolidated monthly honorarium determined as his ‘last pay drawn minus the pension amount,’ along with allowances applicable to an Additional Chief Secretary-grade officer.

This township initiative aims to modernize the living conditions of the Mumbai Police, many of whom currently live in dilapidated British-era quarters. The project encompasses the development of approximately 50 million square feet of land.

The plan includes 40,000 homes for constabulary personnel and 5,000 for sub-inspectors and senior officers. The state will contribute 30 percent of the financing, while the remaining 70 percent will be sourced through institutional loans.

The government has indicated that the project involves intricate large-scale planning, land acquisition, and collaboration with multiple agencies, necessitating a leader with Chahal’s “impeccable record of public service spanning over 36 years”.

Chahal, a 1989-batch IAS officer currently serving as Additional Chief Secretary (Home), was chosen for his “proven administrative competence” and “extensive experience in project management”. He is widely recognized for his leadership as the BMC Commissioner during the Covid-19 pandemic, where his “Mumbai Model” received international recognition, as noted in the notification.