2025.05.19 (Vrindavan Today News): The newly appointed Municipal Commissioner of Mathura, IAS officer Jag Pravesh, officially assumed charge on Saturday following a ceremonial visit to Vrindavan, where he paid obeisance at the revered Thakur Banke Bihari temple. His tenure begins at a critical juncture, as the city grapples with pressing urban infrastructure challenges, particularly waterlogging and potable water supply.
Earlier in the day, Shri Jag Pravesh met with Mathura Mayor Vinod Agrawal at his Radha Orchid residence for a formal courtesy call. During the interaction, the Mayor outlined the two most urgent civic concerns confronting the city: the persistent issue of waterlogging, especially along the BSA Road, and the acute shortage of safe drinking water.
The change in leadership follows the transfer of the outgoing Municipal Commissioner, Shashank Chaudhary, who has now taken on the role of Additional Chief Executive Officer of Uttar Pradesh Invest. Jag Pravesh, a 2018 batch IAS officer previously serving as the Chief Development Officer (CDO) in Bareilly, has prior experience in the region, having held the posts of Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) in Mahavan and Joint Magistrate in Mathura.
Upon his arrival, Shri Jag Pravesh first visited Vrindavan to seek blessings, a gesture deeply symbolic in a city steeped in devotional tradition. He then proceeded to the municipal office, where he was received by Additional Municipal Commissioner Shri C.P. Pathak and formally took over administrative responsibilities.
Immediate Focus Areas
Later that evening, Shri Jag Pravesh conducted an on-site inspection of an ongoing drainage construction project being executed by the railway department near the BSA bridge. Accompanied by senior officials—including Additional Municipal Commissioner Anil Kumar, Chief Engineer Amrendra Gautam, and Municipal Health Officer Dr. Gopal Garg—he reviewed the progress and issued clear instructions: the project must be completed within the designated timeline without compromising quality or causing inconvenience to the public. “There should be no negligence in the construction of the drainage system,” he emphasized.
During his first day in office, he also held an introductory meeting with various municipal department heads to assess the status of current urban development projects. The focus remained on understanding ground-level issues and streamlining ongoing operations.
Water Supply Crisis and Infrastructure Demands
The city’s potable water crisis stems from the salinity of its underground water. The Jal Kal (waterworks department) currently supplies only 25 million litres per day (MLD) of Ganga water, while the rest of the city depends on borewells, which do not meet quality standards. The Mayor informed the Commissioner of a pending proposal requesting an increase in Ganga water allocation through a new infrastructure project, which has yet to receive state approval.
Furthermore, chronic waterlogging along key routes like the BSA Road remains a major concern. It not only disrupts traffic and pedestrian movement but also poses serious health and sanitation risks. The Mayor stressed that effective drainage solutions must be prioritized to ensure long-term relief.
Farewell to Former Commissioner
Meanwhile, a farewell ceremony was held at Lalita Garden in Aurangabad to honor outgoing Commissioner Shashank Chaudhary. Attended by top municipal officials, the event featured mutual appreciation and acknowledgment of Chaudhary’s administrative contributions. Key attendees included Additional Municipal Commissioners Anil Kumar and C.P. Pathak, along with Chief Engineer Amrendra Gautam.
As Commissioner Jag Pravesh steps into his new role, expectations run high. His familiarity with the region and administrative experience will be pivotal in addressing Mathura’s critical urban needs. The coming months will be crucial in determining how effectively these longstanding civic issues—especially clean water access and drainage infrastructure—are tackled under his leadership.
