Mumbai, April 1: After taking charge as the first female Commissioner of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) on Tuesday, Ashwini Bhide, a 1995 batch Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer, emphasized her immediate focus on completing and integrating ongoing major projects.
In her first press conference following the transition from Bhushan Gagarani, who retired that day, Bhide, often referred to as the ‘Metro Woman’, pledged to expedite the final phases of the Mumbai Coastal Road and various metro lines, including Line 3, which she previously led.
Bhide stated that Mumbai is at a crucial turning point and highlighted the need for collaboration among various agencies to minimize the inconvenience faced by residents. Her remarks centered on balancing the rapidly developing infrastructure with the immediate needs of the populace.
Taking charge just before the monsoon season, Bhide identified flood prevention measures as her top priority. She assured Mumbai residents that she would personally oversee dredging operations to ensure the city’s drainage system is fully prepared for heavy rainfall.
She remarked, “The convenience of citizens during the monsoon is our utmost priority, and there will be no compromises on this.” Additionally, she committed to strictly enforcing deadlines for contractors.
With the BMC’s budget for 2026-27 exceeding ₹80,000 crores, Bhide discussed her responsibilities in managing one of India’s wealthiest municipal bodies. Her goal is to maintain tighter control over expenditures and ensure that every rupee spent enhances the quality of life for taxpayers.
She also mentioned plans to improve the digital delivery of civic services to reduce bureaucratic delays and enhance transparency.
Reflecting on her historic appointment as the first female leader of the BMC, Bhide expressed gratitude to all and vowed to be an “accessible and results-driven” commissioner. She emphasized sustainability and expertise, leveraging her previous experience as Additional Municipal Commissioner to hit the ground running.
Bhide concluded, “I thank the Maharashtra government for entrusting me with this responsibility. I also congratulate Bhushan Gagarani for his successful tenure at BMC. Being from Sangli, taking over from someone from Kolhapur holds special significance for me. My four crucial years at BMC, including during the challenging COVID period, have been invaluable. This institution, with over 150 years of heritage, continues to evolve while preserving its vast legacy. As I take the reins as commissioner, I look forward to facing new challenges with my team and delivering the best results possible.”
Arpit Soni has had a passion for journalism since the beginning. Now he has turned this hobby into his profession. Arpit, who is a resident of Udaipur, enjoys editing and writing news related to journalism. He has worked as a Senior Content Producer in several important roles at Bhaskar, Patrika, Pratahkal, Punjab Kesari, and Times. Arpit completed his schooling in Udaipur and Jaipur. He has been working in the media industry for more than 10 years, and his journey is still continuing. ✍️📚
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