Ashwini Bhide appointed as Mumbai civic body BMC’s first female commissioner

Bhide will continue to head the Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation, completing the Gateway of India-Wadala line. Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company MD Lokesh Chandra takes her CMO’s role.

Fadnavis backed Bhide over deputy CM Eknath Shinde’s pick for urban development secretary, Aseem Gupta.

Additional chief secretary Vikas Rastogi will now lead financial reforms, while Parimal Singh will head agriculture and Vineeta Vaid Singhal will handle water and soil conservation.