**Pimpri-Chinchwad: PCMC Commissioner Shekhar Singh Transferred to Nashik as Kumbh Mela Commissioner**
Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) Commissioner and Administrator Shekhar Singh has been transferred to Nashik. He will now take charge of preparations for the upcoming Simhastha Kumbh Mela as Commissioner of the Nashik Kumbh Mela Authority. The Maharashtra State Government issued the transfer order earlier this week, marking the end of Singh’s impactful three-year tenure at the helm of PCMC.
Singh joined PCMC as its chief in August 2022. His posting was rather unusual for the city, as he operated without any mayor, general body, or political party officially intervening in his work. Despite this, Singh made a significant impact on the PCMC area, spearheading many key decisions during his tenure.
In an emotional post shared on X (formerly Twitter), Singh expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to serve. He described his time in Pimpri Chinchwad as one of the greatest honours of his career. Singh thanked the officers, civic staff, elected representatives, industry partners, and citizens who worked alongside him. “Together, we transformed aspirations into achievements,” he wrote, highlighting how collective efforts helped shape a “cleaner, smarter, and more inclusive city.”
### Key Achievements During Singh’s Tenure
Under Singh’s leadership, Pimpri Chinchwad made significant strides in various sectors:
– **Urban Development and Cleanliness:** The city achieved its highest-ever ranking in the Swachh Survekshan survey, securing first place in Maharashtra and seventh nationally.
– **Sustainability Initiatives:** PCMC launched Maharashtra’s first waste-to-energy plant and became the first civic body in India to issue a Green Municipal Bond for sustainable mobility projects.
– **Recognitions:** The city earned an IGBC Platinum Green City rating, the Bloomberg BICI Award, and top ranks in the Majhi Vasundhara Abhiyan.
– **Education Reforms:** Singh focused on strengthening civic schools by enhancing learning outcomes, improving infrastructure, and boosting girl enrolments. He noted that rising parental confidence reflected the city’s growing emphasis on quality and inclusion.
– **Citizen-Centric Governance:** Initiatives like participatory and climate budgeting, Zero Waste Slums, the Lighthouse Project, and Navi Disha brought citizens to the centre of governance.
### Challenges and Public Debates
Despite these achievements, Singh’s administration faced challenges and criticism. Decisions related to the city’s draft Development Plan, infrastructure projects, and demolitions in certain localities sparked public debate. However, Singh maintained that every decision was made with the long-term welfare of the city in mind.
### About Shekhar Singh
Shekhar Singh is a 2012 batch IAS officer. Before his role at PCMC, he served as District Collector in Satara and Zilla Parishad Chief in Sindhudurg. Now appointed as Kumbh Mela Commissioner in Nashik, Singh is expected to play a crucial role in overseeing one of India’s largest religious gatherings.
The Maharashtra government has already begun large-scale planning for the Simhastha Kumbh Mela, including improvements in sanitation, mobility, river cleaning, and civic infrastructure. Singh’s strong track record at Pimpri Chinchwad has raised expectations for a well-organised, sustainable, and citizen-friendly Kumbh Mela.
In his farewell message, Singh wrote:
“I carry with me immense pride, gratitude, and faith in the continued progress of this remarkable city. Pimpri Chinchwad will always remain close to my heart — a city that doesn’t just grow but evolves together.”
https://www.freepressjournal.in/pune/ias-shekhar-singh-bids-farewell-to-pimpri-chinchwad-after-transformative-three-year-tenure-as-pcmc-commissioner
