Shantanu Kumar Agrahari, a 2011-batch IAS officer, took charge as the new municipal commissioner of Ranchi Municipal Corporation on Monday.

He has replaced Prashant Kumar, who is now special secretary (finance).

Soon after taking charge, Agrahari vowed to improve the civic amenities in the city that have around 1.5 lakh households under the RMC jurisdiction.

"From birth to death certificates, people have a lot of expectation from urban local bodies. I will leave no stone unturned to make RMC one of the best municipal corporations of the country," Agrahari, former deputy commissioner of West Singhbhum, said.

Agrahari said he would try to improve the response time for cleanliness work. "I will also ensure completion of all the projects on time to prevent an increase in their cost."

On whether he saw his new post as a prize or a punishment, he said it was a special assignment.

"It is special assignment and I am happy. It will be a different experience. I would like to work in co-ordination with all stakeholders, including the media, public, RMC staff, councillors and assessors," he said.

While handing over charge, Prashant Kumar referred to Agrahari as a bright individual. "The new municipal commissioner is young and meritorious. I hope RMC will progress in his leadership," he said.

Kumar said his two-year stint as a municipal commissioner was pretty challenging.

"I learnt many things and am happy that I could prepare a base for the implementation of the smart city project. I hope within 10 years, the city will have the desired look. I have already given my tips to the new commissioner," he said.

Expressing his special attachment with Ranchi, Kumar said , "I know I have to remain in the city till retirement and even after that. So, I took keen interest in its development. I took some measures to improve urban transport apart from making civic body financially strong."