Chennai: Making Chennai safer and more accessible for pedestrians will be among the top priorities of Greater Chennai Corporation's new commissioner, Dr G S Sameeran. The 2012-batch IAS officer, who assumed charge on Tuesday, told TOI that his immediate priorities also include flood mitigation, civic preparedness and curbing the stray dog menace.
Background and Experience
G S Sameeran replaced J Kumaragurubaran, who served as commissioner for 22 months. Sameeran previously served as GCC's joint commissioner (works) for a year till 2024. He is an MBBS graduate from Kerala University and holds a PG diploma in Urban Environment from National Law University Delhi. He was also district collector of Tenkasi and Coimbatore, managing director of the Tamil Nadu Housing Board and of Tamil Nadu Water Supply and Drainage Board.
Awards and Achievements
He is the recipient of the Girl Child Protection Award 2022, the chief minister's Award for Employment and Skill Development Plan 2021, and the National Award for Best PSU 2020 as managing director of the Tamil Nadu Fisheries Development Corporation.
Personal Interests
Sameeran is better known as an ardent fan of the late filmmaker Padmarajan, known for his works in Malayalam. He discussed films and authored books exhibited at the Coimbatore Book Fair during his tenure as Coimbatore collector. The path from medicine to public administration has now led Sameeran to the helm of GCC.
First Day in Office
Soon after signing in as commissioner on Tuesday morning, Sameeran drove to the Secretariat to meet chief minister C Joseph Vijay.
About the Author: Tarika Balakannan is a reporter working in Madurai. She writes on education, health and corporation. Though born in the hills, she loves Madras, the city where she has spent most of her life. When she’s not writing stories she’s busy telling them through photographs and films.
