In a strategic move to bolster his team, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has appointed Ashwini Bhide as the new Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO). Bhide, a 1995-batch IAS officer with over 30 years of experience, is known for her pivotal role in several high-profile infrastructure projects and her deep expertise in metro rail development.
Ashwini Bhide’s Distinguished Career: Bhide’s previous tenure as the Managing Director of the Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation (MMRC) saw her leading the successful implementation of the Mumbai Metro Line 3 (Colaba-Bandra-Seepz line). She also played an instrumental role in the Mumbai Coastal Road project during her stint as the Additional Municipal Commissioner in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC).
Her appointment to the CMO comes as a replacement for Brijesh Singh, the former Principal Secretary. According to her appointment letter, Bhide will begin her duties immediately while continuing her role as MD of MMRC, a dual responsibility that highlights her trusted status within the state administration.
A Reputation Built on Metro Development: Widely recognized as a pioneer in metro rail infrastructure, Bhide is affectionately known as the “Metro Rail Woman.” Her efforts have earned her admiration from various sectors, with a particular focus on pushing for metro development in Mumbai. Her leadership was crucial in advancing the Metro 3 project, despite facing opposition from the previous Uddhav Thackeray-led government, which had suspended the project’s progress in Aarey Colony due to environmental concerns. Bhide’s strong defense of the project during this period drew both praise and criticism from activists and political parties.
Bhide’s Role Under Fadnavis Government: Since the formation of the Eknath Shinde-led government in June 2022, Bhide was reinstated as MD of MMRC to complete the Metro 3 project. Her latest appointment signals Fadnavis’s commitment to accelerating the state’s infrastructure initiatives. As Principal Secretary to the CMO, Bhide is also expected to oversee a “war room” for infrastructure projects, which will play a key role in Maharashtra’s mission to become the leading state in India.
Strategic Infrastructure Review: This appointment follows a series of high-level meetings led by CM Fadnavis, where he reviewed the state’s flagship projects with senior government officials. Fadnavis emphasized the importance of creating dedicated war rooms for these projects, with Bhide taking a central role in overseeing their progress.
