Nagpur Municipal Commissioner Abhijeet Chaudhari Transferred to Pune PMRDA
The Maharashtra state government executed a significant administrative reshuffle on Wednesday, transferring Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) commissioner Abhijeet Chaudhari. He has been appointed as the new metropolitan commissioner of the Pune Metropolitan Region Development Authority (PMRDA), marking a key shift in urban governance roles within the state.
Interim Leadership and Future Appointments
Following Chaudhari's transfer, the additional charge of NMC commissioner has been handed over to Nagpur district collector Vipin Itankar. Itankar will serve in this interim capacity until the government appoints a full-time replacement. Sources within the administration indicate that Itankar is likely to be given permanent charge as municipal commissioner, while the government is actively scouting for an IAS officer to succeed him as district collector.
Chaudhari's Tenure and Administrative Legacy in Nagpur
Abhijeet Chaudhari, a 2011-batch IAS officer, held the dual charge of NMC commissioner and administrator from July 4, 2023, to March 4, 2026. During his nearly three-year stint in Nagpur, he focused intensively on strengthening administrative systems, with a particular emphasis on digital transformation. Chaudhari streamlined and expanded online services across various departments, notably enhancing the civic body's online grievance redressal system.
This platform was instrumental in fixing accountability on officials by mandating time-bound responses to complaints lodged by citizens, thereby significantly reducing the scope for files to remain unattended or delayed. As administrator, Chaudhari often found himself at loggerheads with political representatives over policy and project-related issues, with his differences with Congress MLA Vikas Thakre being particularly prominent.
Despite facing pressure from elected and former elected representatives, officials noted that Chaudhari maintained a firm stance, adhering strictly to rule books and administrative procedures throughout his tenure.
Career Background and Professional Journey
An MBBS graduate, Abhijeet Chaudhari cleared the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) examination in 2010 for the Indian Police Service (IPS) and again in 2011 for the Indian Administrative Service (IAS). Over the years, he has accumulated a diverse portfolio of roles, including serving as assistant collector in Osmanabad and Kinwat, CEO of Zilla Parishad Aurangabad, collector of Bhandara and Sangli, and municipal commissioner in Kolhapur and Aurangabad prior to his posting in Nagpur.
This transfer to PMRDA represents a new chapter in his distinguished career, where he will oversee metropolitan development initiatives in the Pune region, leveraging his extensive experience in urban administration and governance.
