Pune: Dr Abhijeet Chaudhari Appointed PMRDA Commissioner As Dr Yogesh Mhase Transferred
Pune: Dr Abhijeet Chaudhari Appointed PMRDA Commissioner As Dr Yogesh Mhase Transferred
Pune, March 5, 2026: The Maharashtra government has carried out a key administrative reshuffle by appointing Dr Abhijeet Chaudhari as the new Metropolitan Commissioner of the Pune Metropolitan Region Development Authority (PMRDA). The transfer order was issued on Wednesday, marking an important leadership change for the regional planning authority.
Dr Chaudhari, a 2011-batch Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer, previously served as the Municipal Commissioner of the Nagpur Municipal Corporation. In his new role, he will oversee major urban development and infrastructure projects across the Pune Metropolitan Region.
He replaces Dr Yogesh Mhase, a 2009-batch IAS officer who has been heading PMRDA during a period of rapid urban growth in the region. Dr Mhase has now been transferred to Mumbai, where he will take charge as Secretary of the Minority Development Department of Maharashtra at Mantralaya.
The leadership change comes at a crucial time as PMRDA continues to handle several large infrastructure projects aimed at improving connectivity and easing congestion in Pune and its surrounding areas. Among the key initiatives under the authority’s purview is Pune Metro Line 3, which is expected to significantly improve travel between the city’s IT hub and central Pune.
PMRDA is also responsible for the development of the proposed 128-kilometre Pune Ring Road Project, designed to reduce traffic congestion by diverting heavy and intercity traffic away from the city centre. Additionally, the authority is implementing several Town Planning Schemes (TPS) to support planned urban expansion in the rapidly developing metropolitan region.
Officials and urban planning experts believe Dr Chaudhari’s experience in managing civic administration in Nagpur will be valuable in addressing ongoing challenges such as land acquisition, infrastructure coordination, and development approvals.
Meanwhile, Dr Mhase’s tenure at PMRDA is noted for streamlining administrative processes and advancing several development initiatives. His new role in the state government is expected to involve policy-level responsibilities at the state secretariat.
With the leadership transition now in place, urban planners and local stakeholders are hoping that the new commissioner will accelerate delayed infrastructure and housing projects while improving the efficiency of building permissions across the PMRDA jurisdiction.
