NAGPUR: After a long span of 50 days, the state government has
appointed collector of Sangli district Shyam D. Wardhane as city’s new
civic chief on Wednesday evening. Interestingly, Wardhane is a native of
Butibori and did his entire education from the Nagpur.

Wardhane
told TOI he was very happy to be given responsibility at Nagpur
Municipal Corporation (NMC). “My priority will be overall development of
the city and improve the civic services. I will make efforts to turn
the city into a developed and vibrant one. I
know the city as I studied from Standard 8-10 at Somalwar High School,
Ramdaspeth, followed by graduation and post-graduation in science from
Nagpur University,” he said.

Wardhane’s family is still residing
in Tilak Nagar. Fifty six-year-old Wardhane was personal secretary of
cabinet minister Patangrao Kadam for a long time and is now collector of
Sangli district which is also the home town of Kadam. He was promoted
to IAS cadres from state service in 2002. Sources told TOI that Wardhane
will take charge from officiating municipal commissioner and collector
Saurabh Rao on August 13 as he is to attend a training camp between
August 4 and 11.

Expressing satisfaction over appointment of a
regular civic chief after a long time, mayor Anil Sole said it would
mean development works would be speeded up. “There are huge expectations
from the new municipal commissioner. We will make efforts for more
development of the city along with Wardhane. It is good that he knows
the city well,” he said.

Rao will be a much-relieved person as
he is handling three crucial posts including that of additional
municipal commissioner. There are many decisions and projects pending
for last 50 days for want of regular civic chief. Chairman of standing
committee Dayashankar Tiwari too expressed satisfaction over appointment
of regular civic chief as Sanjeev Jaiswal was transferred immediately
after presentation of the budget.