Sitaram Kunte on Monday was appointed as new Brihanmumbai Municipal
Corporation commissioner. Mr Kunte, who will take over outgoing
commissioner Subodh Kumar, said that for now, he will concentrate on
pre-monsoon works in the city, so that Mumbaikars face minimum
inconvenience during the rainy season.
“During the month of May, the civic body gets into action to complete
pre-monsoon works. So tackling issues like roads, malaria, nullah
cleaning and sewerage will be my first priority,” Mr Kunte said.
However, he refused to dwell upon any long-term projects. “It would be
too early to comment on this. I will sit down and take the necessary
details before acting,” he added. The new BMC chief also assured that
development projects started by Mr Kumar would continue in the near
future.
Mr Kunte has worked in the BMC as joint commissioner as well as
additional commissioner between 2000 and 2005, where he looked after
western suburbs and projects.
“Having worked in the BMC for five years, I have a fair knowledge of
the city’s problems. Hence, measures will be undertaken so that future
schemes are implemented smoothly,” he said.
It was during Mr Kunte’s earlier tenure, that the concept of 24/7
water supply to the city was first floated. “The BMC has taken several
steps forward to make this project a reality. In some of the wards,
uninterrupted water supply has already been started.”
Meanwhile, Mr Kunte’s appointment has caught the BMC unawares.
According to sources, while several top bureaucrats including
principal secretary to the chief minister A.K. Jain, additional chief
secretary and head of the urban development department T.C. Benjamin,
housing secretary Gautam Chatterjee and MMRDA chief Rahul Asthana were
in the running for the post, Mr Kunte’s name was nowhere in the race
for the post.