I S Chahal Appointed Chairman of Mumbai Police Housing Township Project with MoS Rank

Mumbai, Jan 2026 : Senior IAS officer I S Chahal, who is set to retire on January 31, has been appointed as the chairman of the Mumbai Police Housing Township Project, with the rank of Minister of State (MoS), the Maharashtra government announced on Thursday. Chahal, a 1989-batch IAS officer currently serving as Additional Chief Secretary (Home), will hold a five-year tenure in his new role, making him the second retired bureaucrat in the present government to be granted MoS rank, after former IAS officer Praveen Pardeshi.

According to a government notification, Chahal will be provided a fully furnished office at Mantralaya or another suitable location, along with government bungalow or residential accommodation in Mumbai befitting his MoS status. He will also have access to a staff car for official travel within the city as well as for project-related duties outside Mumbai. Praveen Pardeshi currently serves as the CEO of the Maharashtra Institution for Transformation (MITRA) and was appointed last year as Chief Minister’s Chief Economic Adviser with MoS rank.

Chahal’s appointment comes after a long and distinguished career spanning 36 years in public service. Despite being a frontrunner for the coveted chief secretary’s post, he missed the opportunity twice—first when Rajesh Kumar Meena received an extension and later when Rajesh Aggarwal was appointed to the top position. Other senior officers, including Bhushan Gagrani, Anil Diggikar, Deepak Kapoor, and O P Gupta, also did not ascend to the post, as they are set to retire before Aggarwal’s term ends in November. Meeta Lochan, a 1990-batch IAS officer currently on central deputation, is scheduled to retire in August.

The Mumbai Police Housing Township Project is a flagship government initiative designed to provide quality residential accommodation for Mumbai police personnel and their families. The project aims to improve living conditions and enhance welfare for the city’s police force.

The home department explained that the role requires extensive administrative expertise due to the project’s complexity. Responsibilities include large-scale planning, land acquisition, coordination with multiple government agencies, infrastructure development, financial management, and timely execution.

The government notification emphasized Chahal’s suitability for the role, stating: “I S Chahal possesses extensive experience in administration, project management, and coordination with central and state agencies, and has an impeccable record of public service spanning 36 years. His appointment is essential to ensure strategic leadership and timely implementation of the project.”

Chahal’s new role underscores the state government’s commitment to providing dedicated leadership for high-priority infrastructure projects and ensuring that the welfare of police personnel remains a key focus in Mumbai’s urban planning.

Team Maverick.