Mumbai: 8 Local Stations' Names Changed
The Maharashtra Govt has renamed 8 Mumbai local railway stations on the Western, Central and Harbour lines due to high public demand to change the British names of the stations.
In a move to honor India's rich heritage and shed colonial remnants, the Maharashtra government has decided to rename eight Mumbai local railway stations. The proposal, championed by Member of Parliament Rahul Shewale, gained traction due to public demand. These stations, scattered across the Western, Central, and Harbour lines, will now bear names reflecting local culture and history.
The initiative was greenlit during a meeting led by Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde, attended by Deputy Chief Ministers Devendra Fadnavis, Ajit Pawar, and other cabinet members on March 13, 2024. The proposal, once approved locally, was forwarded to the Central Government, including the Union Home Ministry & Railway Ministry, for final consent.
According to MP Shewale, the new names of the stations signify Maharashtra's rich heritage, resonating with the essence of Indian culture. Let's take a look at the revamped identities:
1. Cotton Green is now Kalachowki: Named after the area of Kalachowki, known for a police chowki coated with black coal tar.
2. Charni Road is now Girgaon: Paying homage to the famous Girgaon Chowpatty area, 'Girgaon' translates to 'hill village', reflecting its location at the base of Malabar Hill.
3. Dockyard Road is now Mazgaon: Merging Marathi words 'Mazha' (my) and 'gaon' (village), representing the Mazgaon area.
4. King Circle is now Tirthankar Parshvanath: Named after a Jain temple dedicated to Lord Parshvanath.
5. Currey Road is now Lalbaug: After the Lalbaug area, renowned for the Lalbaugcha Raja Ganpati.
6. Sandhurst Road is now Dongri: Honoring the famous Dongri area, derived from the Marathi word 'dongar' (hill).
7. Marine Lines is now Mumbadevi: Named after the famous Goddess Mumbadevi and her temple.
8. Mumbai Central Station is now Nana Jagannath Shankarsheth Station: Paying tribute to the Indian philanthropist, businessman, and educationalist Nana Jagannath Shankarsheth.
Additionally, Ahmednagar has been renamed as 'Ahilya Nagar', honoring Rani Ahilyabai Holkar, who was born there. This change reflects a broader trend of shedding colonial legacies and embracing indigenous identities.
While railway station names have been updated, there's also speculation about renaming roads in Mumbai, which bear British-given names. This move underscores a larger societal shift towards reclaiming cultural identity and heritage.
