Incidentally, on his very first day in office, he has to decide the fate of former deputy commissioner (Health and Hospital) Dr R P Sinha, who was suspended by Municipal Commissioner S Jagadeesan for alleged financial irregularities.

But Choksi is very clear as to what he has to do. ``We will neither protect nor victimise Dr Sinha. We will take a decision according to the High Court ruling,'' he says, adding, if required an inquiry will be ordered. Meanwhile, the High Court has directed the standing committee to ``listen to Dr Sinha before taking any action against him and inform the court on September 21.''

On the lack of co-ordination between the administrative and the elected wing, he says, ``Lack of dialogue created an unnecessary hostility between the civic chief and the elected representatives, which could have been avoided.'' He, however, assures that this would not be repeated.

On a number of civic projects, which are either incomplete or yet to be implemented, he says, he would accord top priority to supplying piped water to all residents by 2000, a promise made in the party manifesto.

About the much publicised night cleaning losing its impetus, he says, ``We will have to look into it.'' It may be noted that after the civic chief reduced the per sq meter rate by almost half, from 70 paise to 40 paise per metre, many had alleged that cleaning operations had slackened and erring contractors were not being brought to book, even though their performance failed to meet the mark.

Choksi says he wants to take up road carpeting and repairs on a war footing. On drainage facilities, he says, though as of now only 56 per cent area of the city had proper drainage facilities, the civic body hoped to provide facilities to all in another five years. ``We have approached HUDCO and the World Bank for loans for the corporation's capital projects.''

Choksi's other priorities include setting up of a science centre in the city, developing gopitalav, located in the walled city, and an open stadium.

However, as of now, Choksi says he is preoccupied with the SMC-built indoor stadium. The stadium, built at a cost of Rs 23 crore, is the brainchild of Chokshi and former standing committee chairman Narendra Gandhi, also a sports lover.

On the stadium's inauguration, he says the civic body is in no hurry to throw it open. ``In fact, we are trying to rope in an international sportsperson to inaugurate the stadium. We also want the inauguration to be followed by a series of programmes, so that its popularity spreads far and wide.''

The SMC was exploring a few options about the management of the stadium, he says, elaborating either a private company would be given charge to manage the stadium or a company would be set up for the purpose. A decision will be taken soon, he adds.