Ashokkumar Rankhamb elected unopposed chairman of Vasai-Virar transport committee

A key decision has been taken on the transport system of the Vasai-Virar City Municipal Corporation. Ashokkumar Rankhamb has been elected unopposed chairman of the corporation's 13-member transport committee. Rankhamb is an experienced administrative officer.

The election was held under the supervision of Palghar District Collector Indurani Jakhar. It is hoped that with him as chairman, the pace of improvement and modernisation of the city's transport system will increase.

Rankhamb joined state service as a gazetted officer through the Maharashtra Public Service Commission. Working in the Urban Development Department, he has held several important posts. He has served as chief officer in Jalgaon, Nashik, Ahmednagar, Raigad, Thane and Palghar districts. He has long experience of the working of local self-government bodies and of urban administration.

He has also served as deputy commissioner at the Mira-Bhayandar Municipal Corporation and as general manager of the transport service at the Thane Municipal Corporation. He has been additional commissioner and commissioner at the Thane, Ulhasnagar and Bhiwandi municipal corporations.

In 2015, the State Election Commission also appointed him an election observer. Having worked in different municipal corporations and administrative set-ups, he has experience in civic amenities, the transport system and administrative planning.

After taking charge as chairman, Rankhamb has made it clear that he will focus on making Vasai-Virar's transport service more modern and capable. Given the growing population and rising number of commuters, the city's public transport system needs to be made more effective. Providing better facilities for the daily commute of people in Vasai, Virar, Nalasopara and surrounding areas will be a major challenge before the transport committee.

A large number of people travel from Vasai-Virar towards Mumbai and Thane every day. For this reason, the new chairman has said he will pay special attention to improving public transport connectivity from these areas. Strengthening bus services within the city, planning transport according to commuters' needs and raising the standard of public transport will also have to be among his priorities.

Fast-growing urbanisation in Vasai-Virar is putting heavy pressure on the public transport system. In this context, the election of an experienced administrative officer as chairman of the transport committee is seen as significant. Citizens are now watching how much the transport system benefits from Rankhamb's administrative experience, what changes come to the city's bus service, and what steps are taken to improve Mumbai-Thane connectivity.