Mumbai’s next power face; Ashwini Bhide takes charge as first woman head of India’s richest civic body

Mumbai: Senior IAS officer Ashwini Bhide appointed as Municipal Commissioner of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) on tuesday. This marking a historic first as she became the first woman to head the country’s richest civic body. The state government issued the appointment order on Tuesday afternoon. Bhide replaces incumbent Bhushan Gagrani and will be the 32nd Municipal Commissioner since Independence.

Bhide, 55, is currently serving as Additional Chief Secretary in the Chief Minister’s Office and is widely seen as a firm, detail-oriented administrator with a strong execution record. Her appointment follows deliberations between Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. Soon after assuming charge, Bhide outlined her priorities, placing infrastructure and civic services at the centre of her agenda.