The news article is dated Thursday, October 9, 2025. Ashwini Bhide is a highly respected Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer known for her significant contributions to urban infrastructure projects in Maharashtra, especially the Mumbai Metro Aqua Line, also known as Line 3 of the Mumbai Metro. She currently holds the position of Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister of Maharashtra and has been recognized for leading and managing major infrastructure projects worth several lakh crores across the state.
Early Life
Ashwini Bhide was born on May 25, 1970, in Maharashtra, India. She pursued her education seriously, earning a Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts degree. She joined the prestigious Indian Administrative Service (IAS) in 1995, marking the start of a dedicated career in public administration. From her early years, she showed strong leadership qualities and a commitment to serving the public through governance and development.
Ashwini Bhide Age, Wikipedia, Biography, Husband, Family
Career
Bhide started her career in administration as an Assistant Collector in Kolhapur district around 1997. She quickly moved up the ranks, becoming the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) in different districts such as Sindhudurg and Nagpur. During her tenure as CEO of Nagpur Zilla Parishad, she helped construct hundreds of small dams to improve irrigation in more than three hundred villages. This work brought water to many farms, helping farmers and improving agricultural productivity.
Metropolitan Roles
Between 2008 and 2014, Ashwini worked with the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA). Here, she managed vital projects like the Eastern Freeway and the Mumbai Monorail, which improved transport and reduced traffic problems in Mumbai. She also led the cleanup efforts of the Mithi river, involving the rehabilitation of thousands of people affected by urban development.
Major Projects
In January 2015, Ashwini Bhide became the Managing Director of the Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation Limited (MMRCL). She was responsible for one of the country’s most challenging urban transport projects—the fully underground Metro 3 or Aqua Line. The project spans 33.5 kilometers and is aimed at reducing Mumbai’s chronic traffic congestion by providing a fast, comfortable, and safe metro option for millions of daily commuters.
Under her leadership, the project made significant progress faster than expected despite many challenges. However, the project also faced opposition from environmentalists and activists, especially concerning plans to set up a metro car shed in Aarey Milk Colony, a green area in Mumbai, which required cutting down many trees. This led to public protests and political debates, with some leaders criticizing her decisions. Despite this, she remained focused on her work and was reappointed because of her ability to deliver complex projects efficiently.
Achievements
After her tenure at MMRCL ended in 2020, she joined the Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai to help fight the COVID-19 pandemic, managing contact tracing and hospital support efforts. In 2024, she was appointed as the Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister of Maharashtra, a prestigious role where she monitors and coordinates multiple large-scale infrastructure projects worth over ₹5 lakh crore.
Ashwini Bhide’s work involves not only transportation but also other urban development projects like roads, flyovers, and the Mumbai Coastal Road, which aims to improve the city’s connectivity and reduce water traffic disruptions.
Leadership
Ashwini Bhide is widely recognized for her strong organization skills, technical knowledge, and dedication to public service. She has been praised for her leadership during the execution of Mumbai Metro projects and other infrastructure developments. Her efforts have earned her awards, including recognition as the Woman Leader of the Year – Governance at the ETPrime Women Leadership Awards in 2023.
Summary
Ashwini Bhide’s journey from her education in Maharashtra to becoming a key figure in the development of Mumbai’s urban infrastructure is inspiring. Her early roles in district administration built a strong foundation for managing bigger projects. As the head of Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation, she successfully led one of India’s largest metro projects, facing challenges with determination. Now, as a Principal Secretary, she oversees many critical projects that aim to transform Maharashtra’s infrastructure for the betterment of its people. Her story is one of hard work, leadership, and a commitment to improving urban life in one of India’s most populous states.
