Ms. D. Thara has been working as an IAS Officer since 1995. She has been working in the State of Gujarat since
1997 and has a versatile experience in various cities of Gujarat such as Ahmedabad, Kheda, Rajokt, Vadodara
and Surendranagar in various Departments. She has worked as a District Development Officer in the cities of
Vadodara and Surendranagar for a period of 2 years in Land Revenue Management and District Administration
and Development Administration. She also has experience as a Collector in Land Revenue Management &
District Administration Departments in the cities of Kheda for a period of 1 year and Ahmedabad for a period
of 3 years.
Ms. Thara has also worked as the Deputy Municipal Commissioner of Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation for
approximately 2 years. During this period, she has worked on a number of JNNURM Projects. She has been one
of the pioneers of the BRTS Project which was a very essential project of the city. She has also initiated the
Second Revised Draft Development Plan 2021 as Chief Executive Authority, Ahmedabad Urban Development
Authority (AUDA) in 2008. During her tenure as Chief Executive Authority, AUDA, the Second Revised Draft
Development Plan 2021, Ahmedabad was completed and also the First Revised Draft Development Plan of
Gandhinagar as the CEA, GUDA was completed. With her focused vision and great leadership qualities, a
number of new concepts and ideas were incorporated in the Second Revised Draft Development Plan 2021.
Few of them included the Central Business District, Transit Oriented Zone and Residential Affordable Housing
Zone and also the preparation of Local Area Plans for such projects. She has been the Chief Executive Authority
of AUDA and Municipal Commissioner, Ahmedabad. During her tenure, Ahmedabad was made and executed
as a Smart City. Water Management and Security was the focus area. 7.5 lac people were given surface water
in one year. 4 STPs were initiated and sewage treatment gap is being completely addressed.
She was working as Vice Chairman & Managing Director, Gujarat Industrial Development Corporation,
Gandhinagar since 24/06/2016. After that she had joined Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs as Joint
Secretary on 29/07/2019. She has been promoted as Additional Secretary on 6th December 2021. She is the
National Mission Director of AMRUT 2.0. She is also the Chairperson of Town and Country Planning
Organization. Among her other portfolios include Central Vista, Ease of Doing Business, Finance Commission,
Urban Finance and Urban Planning