Connect with us
Wednesday,12-August-2026
Breaking News

Maharashtra

Who Is Ashwini Bhide? Mumbai’s ‘Metro Woman’ Appointed As BMC Commissioner

Published

on

Mumbai: Senior IAS officer Ashwini Bhide has been appointed as the first woman Commissioner of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), marking a historic moment in the city’s administrative landscape. She succeeds Bhushan Gagrani, who completes his tenure on March 31, 2026.

A 1995-batch IAS officer, Bhide is currently serving as Additional Chief Secretary in the Chief Minister’s Office under Devendra Fadnavis. Known for her firm, results-driven administrative style, she was selected over other senior bureaucrats, including Sanjay Mukherjee and Aseem Gupta, owing to her extensive experience and track record in executing large-scale projects.

Bhide has previously played a key role in shaping Mumbai’s infrastructure growth. As Managing Director of the Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation, she led several critical metro projects, including complex underground corridors. She is also known as the ‘Metro Woman’ of Mumbai. Her tenure, however, also drew criticism during the Aarey car shed project, which faced opposition from environmentalists over large-scale tree felling.

Her earlier role as Additional Municipal Commissioner in the BMC has provided her with in-depth knowledge of the civic body’s functioning, a factor expected to aid her transition into the top post. She is likely to serve a full term until 2030, overseeing key areas such as infrastructure development, sanitation, traffic management, and overall urban governance in Mumbai.

Her appointment comes at a crucial time when the city is grappling with mounting infrastructure pressure, environmental challenges, and financial constraints within the civic administration. Officials believe her leadership could bring tighter administrative discipline and faster execution of major civic initiatives.

Bhide’s elevation also reflects a broader trend of increasing representation of women in top bureaucratic roles in Maharashtra. Notably, Rashmi Shukla served as the state’s first woman Director General of Police, while Sujata Saunik became the first woman Chief Secretary in 2024.

Ashwini Bhide is set to assume the role of Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) commissioner later today. Bhushan Gagrani has served as BMC chief for the past two years. Speaking to the Free Press Journal this morning, Gagrani said, “I am in office today, and Ashwini will take charge this afternoon. The official order will be issued in an hour or so.”

Rumours at BMC headquarters suggested that Gagrani might receive a service extension and be posted to the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO). However, no such order has been issued so far. “But I will be in Mumbai,” the outgoing commissioner added.

As she takes charge of one of India’s key municipal corporations, Bhide’s tenure will be closely watched for its impact on Mumbai’s governance and development trajectory.

Maharashtra

40 rain shelters, 08 unauthorized shops, 30 hawkers, 06 vehicular paths removed, joint action by ‘T’, ‘S’ and ‘N’ departments of Mumbai Municipal Corporation

Published

on

The Mumbai Municipal Corporation is implementing the ‘Pedestrian First’ campaign in the Mumbai region (Mumbai city and suburbs). Under this, 40 rain shelters, 08 unauthorized shops and 30 hawkers obstructing footpaths were removed today (August 11, 2026) in the Milind area. This action was taken jointly by the ‘T’, ‘S’ and ‘N’ divisions of the Municipal Corporation. As per the directions of the High Court, the Mumbai Municipal Corporation under the guidance of Municipal Commissioner Ashwini Bhide is effectively implementing the ‘Pedestrian First’ campaign to immediately remove unauthorized hawkers and encroachments on footpaths and to make the footpaths free from obstructions.

In this regard, a joint campaign was conducted under the leadership of Assistant Commissioner (T Division) under the guidance of Deputy Commissioner (Zone-6) Santosh Kumar Dhonde. Assistant Commissioner (S Division) Samrin Syed, Assistant Commissioner (N Division) Jaideep More
The operation was carried out in the areas of Ram Ratan Trivedi Marg, Jawaharlal Nehru Marg, Sivaram Lalwani Marg, Ratanji Hirji Bhograj Marg, Jhaveer Marg and Ganesh Gawde Marg as well as Lokmanya Tilak Marg (West) in the ‘T’ zone of the Municipal Corporation. In this, 40 rain shelters built on the footpaths, 08 unauthorized shops, 30 hawkers and 06 carriageways that were obstructing the footpaths were removed. Apart from this, the material obstructing the footpaths was also seized.

The operation was carried out with the help of 10 vehicles, 05 dumpers, 05 JCBs and other equipment along with 13 secondary engineers, 07 licensing inspectors, 66 workers working in Zone 6. Adequate police security was deployed at that time.

Meanwhile, the municipal administration is committed to providing barrier-free and easy footpaths for pedestrians. However, no one should create obstacles on the footpath or carry out unauthorized constructions. The municipal administration is telling that strict action will be taken if this happens.

Continue Reading

Maharashtra

Mumbai Mankhurd ATM card fraud two accused arrested

Published

on

Mumbai: The Mumbai Police has claimed to have arrested two accused who committed fraud by changing ATM cards. On August 5, the complainant had gone to the ATM center at Mangal Murthy Junction to withdraw money. While withdrawing money from the ATM, an unknown person standing behind her saw the PIN of the card. After that, she cleverly changed the ATM rod and withdrew Rs 19,000. The police have registered a case of fraud in this matter and started investigating it. The police had seen three suspicious people from the CCTV footage of the scene who were found withdrawing money from the ATM card. After that, the police identified the accused with the help of CCTV footage. Later, they were arrested. The accused have been identified as Qasim Ali Barkat Ali, 30, and Parvez Akbar Ali Sheikh, 38, both residents of Kalyan. The police are investigating further regarding both of them. Along with this, the police are also finding out how many people they have cheated before. This action was taken by DCP Sameer Sheikh on the instructions of Additional Commissioner Dhananjay Kulkarni.

Continue Reading

Maharashtra

7 accused arrested in cyber fraud case of over Rs 1 crore in Mumbai

Published

on

Mumbai: The Cyber ​​Police Station has claimed to have solved the mystery of a cyber crime in which the complainant was threatened with digital arrest on WhatsApp from April 2 to April 18, 2026, and was involved in a money laundering case and was defrauded of Rs 16.74 crore online by sending fake electronic documents. During the technical investigation, the police have arrested 7 accused, identified as Sanjay Hiralal, 57, who used to generate OTPs, the 32-year-old female accused used to hide the fraudulent money, Rishi Ramchandra Meena, 38, who used to transfer the fraudulent money to bank accounts, Naushad Ali, 31, who digitally arrested the complainant and the victim and worked in this gang digitally, Muhammad Khalid Hafeezuddin Saif, 27, a digital expert, Jogesh Mehta, 43, and Zubair Hussain, 27, who helped them deposit the fraudulent money in their accounts. 613 mobile phones, 2 laptops, 5 digital sign devices were recovered from the possession of the accused. SIM cards of several companies, 10 cheque books, 2 passbooks and 2 ATM cards have been seized. DCP Bajrang Bansode told the press conference that there is no such thing as digital arrest and in such a situation, do not keep in touch on unknown social media accounts. If someone threatens digital arrest, do not believe them.

Continue Reading

Trending