Pimpri-Chinchwad Commissioner Shekhar Singh Transferred; Shravan Hardikar Given Additional Charge
Pune: Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Commissioner Shekhar Singh has been transferred and appointed as the Commissioner for the upcoming Kumbh Mela in Nashik. According to a state government order, Maha Metro Managing Director Shravan Hardikar, who earlier served as the city’s civic chief between 2017 and 2021, will hold temporary charge until a new commissioner is appointed.
An IAS officer from the 2012 Maharashtra cadre, Singh took charge of the Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) in August 2022. During his tenure, he led several key initiatives, including digitising municipal operations and securing funds for projects through green bonds. One of the most significant actions under his leadership was the large-scale anti-encroachment drive in Kudalwadi, which cleared nearly 4,000 illegal scrap units, industrial setups, and other establishments spread across 900 acres.
Under Singh’s administration, PCMC ranked second in the state government’s ‘100 Day Action Plan’ and was recognised as Maharashtra’s cleanest city, securing the seventh spot nationally in the Swachh Survekshan 2024–25 rankings. However, he also faced criticism over a proposed TDR deal in Wakad involving a PMPML depot and a commercial building, which was later put on hold following opposition allegations of irregularities.
In his new role, Singh will oversee major infrastructure projects for the Nashik and Trimbakeshwar Kumbh Mela, scheduled to take place between 2026 and 2028.
The government also announced other key transfers. Ayush Prasad, the district collector of Jalgaon, has been appointed as the new collector of Nashik, replacing Jalaj Sharma, who will now serve as Commissioner of the Nashik Metropolitan Region Development Authority. Sharma and Prasad had both assumed their previous roles in July 2023. Rohan Ghuge, currently CEO of Thane Zilla Parishad, will take over as Jalgaon’s district collector.
Additionally, Sanjay Kolte, Managing Director of Shivshahi Rehabilitation Project in Mumbai, has been appointed as Sugar Commissioner, Pune — a position that was previously vacant.
