The move to change the British-era names of railway stations in Mumbai has started in the government court. The state government has prepared a proposal for renaming eight to 10 stations such as Currey Road, Sandhurst Road, Parel. It will be presented in the Cabinet meeting on Wednesday, March 13, 2024. Although there is a proposal to name the Churchgate station after late Shiv Sena chief Balasaheb Thackeray, sources informed that there is confusion about it.
MP Rahul Shewale had requested Chief Minister Eknath Shinde to change the British era names of suburban railway stations in Mumbai. Accordingly, in the meeting held on Tuesday, there was a discussion about the renaming of the stations. There was also a discussion about naming Churchgate station to Shiv Sena chief Balasaheb Thackeray and Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar to Bandra Terminus. But while renaming, the Center has a rule that name should not be changed only to show respect to national men or to satisfy the sentiments of local people on linguistic issues. Therefore, it was pointed out that Thackeray cannot be given. However, Thackeray's name may be recommended in the cabinet meeting.
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The decision to rename Mumbai Central Terminus as Nana Shankar Sheth Mumbai Central Terminus was taken in the Cabinet meeting on March 12, 2020 and it was sent to the Union Home Ministry for further action in July 2020.
Proposed names for the stations
Central Railway
Western Railway
Harbour Railway