The Maharashtra BJP-led government is gearing up for a significant cabinet expansion on December 15, with the swearing-in ceremony scheduled for 3 PM at the Raj Bhavan in Nagpur. Approximately 30 new ministers are set to join the government, marking a crucial reshuffle ahead of the winter session, which begins on December 16. The timing of the expansion, set for a Sunday, ensures minimal disruption to legislative schedules.
In a parallel development, the Devendra Fadnavis government has appointed Ashwini Bhide, one of Maharashtra’s most respected bureaucrats, as the new Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister. This appointment underscores Fadnavis’s strategy to strengthen his administrative team by bringing in trusted and capable officers. Bhide, 54, replaces Brijesh Singh, an IPS officer who held the position under the Eknath Shinde-led government. Her new role adds to her illustrious career, characterized by transformative contributions to Maharashtra’s infrastructure landscape.
A 1995-batch IAS officer with nearly three decades of experience, Ashwini Bhide is widely known as the “Metro Rail Woman” for her pivotal role in major urban infrastructure projects. During her tenure as Managing Director of the Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation (MMRC), she spearheaded the successful implementation of the Mumbai Metro Line 3 (Colaba-Bandra-Seepz line) and the Mumbai Coastal Road project. Bhide’s ability to manage large-scale initiatives, even amid political and environmental controversies, has earned her a reputation as a resilient and results-oriented leader.
Her journey, however, has not been without challenges. In 2020, the Uddhav Thackeray-led government removed her from her role as MMRC MD and transferred her to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) following disputes over the Aarey Metro project, which was halted to protect the forest cover in the Aarey Colony. Despite this, Bhide’s commitment to balancing development with environmental considerations set her apart as a forward-thinking administrator.
Bhide’s story is an inspiring one. Raised in a small town and educated in a rural vernacular medium school, she defied the odds to pursue a career in the Indian Administrative Services. With limited resources and little access to information, she cleared the UPSC examination in 1995, securing the top rank among female candidates. Her journey serves as a testament to the power of determination, discipline, and perseverance.
Over the years, she has demonstrated exceptional leadership in urban development projects, including the Eastern Freeway, Milan Subway Flyover, Mumbai’s Skywalks, and the Mithi River clean-up. These projects often required sensitive negotiations and the relocation of affected communities, tasks she managed with diplomacy and tact.
Ashwini Bhide’s appointment as Principal Secretary is a strategic move by Chief Minister Fadnavis to assemble a team of high-performing bureaucrats capable of driving Maharashtra’s development agenda. Known for her focus on results and her ability to navigate complex challenges, Bhide is poised to play a critical role in the state’s governance.
With the cabinet expansion and key appointments reflecting a renewed focus on development and leadership, Maharashtra stands at the cusp of transformative growth under the Fadnavis government.
