In a landmark administrative move, senior IAS officer Ashwini Bhide was on Tuesday appointed as the first woman commissioner of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), Indian's richest civic body.
The Mumbai civic body, set up in 1872, is one of the oldest local self-governing bodies in India.
Bhide succeeds Bhushan Gagrani, who is set to retire on March 31, 2026.
An official notification said she will also continue holding charge as Managing Director of Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation, where she was instrumental in expansion of the city's metro network.
A 1995-batch IAS officer, Bhide is widely regarded as one of Maharashtra's most accomplished bureaucrats, known for delivering complex urban infrastructure projects with precision and speed. Her pivotal role in shaping Mumbai's metro network-especially her leadership at the Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation-earned her the sobriquet "Mumbai's Metro Woman".
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Bhide brings with her decades of administrative experience across key departments in the Maharashtra government. Most recently, she served as additional chief secretary in the Chief Minister's Office, while also holding the charge of Managing Director at MMRCL.
Her earlier stint as Additional Commissioner at the BMC saw her oversee critical infrastructure works, including the Coastal Road project, road widening, bridges, and the ambitious Metro Line 3.
Her appointment comes at a crucial juncture for Mumbai, as the city navigates rapid urban expansion, infrastructure upgrades, and climate resilience challenges.
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With a track record of execution and reform, all eyes will now be on Bhide as she takes charge of the BMC, an institution central to Mumbai's governance and infrastructure transformation.
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