While Mumbai is preparing for the inauguration of the Colaba-Bandra-Seepz Metro 3 route on Saturday, October 5, the local groups have called for renaming some stations to honour the city’s historic villages. Some of the groups are the Mumbai Bhumiputra East Indian Samaj and Mobai Gaothan Panchayat. These groups represent the original inhabitants of areas that became modern Mumbai. They have proposed renaming stations to reflect the local history.
For example, they have suggested renaming Vidyanagri to Kole Kalyan, an extinct village that once stood where the airport is now located. Other proposed changes include renaming Seepz as Kondivita, T2 Airport station as Sahar, Marol Naka as Marol Gaon, and Santacruz East station as Vakola.
These proposals have been sent to the local Legislative Assembly member, the state chief minister, and Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation Ltd (MMRCL). Additionally, the groups have also requested space at the metro stations to showcase local products and foods made by the original inhabitants.
Also Read: Navi Mumbai: Opportunity to bidders to own a commercial space along the Metro Line -1
It should be noted that some stations on Line 7, running between Andheri (East) and Dahisar (East), have already been named after historical settlements, such as Poisar and Mogra. The debate over station names is not new in Mumbai. Similar demands were made when parts of Metro Lines 2A and 7 were opened between April 2022 and January 2023. Several stations were renamed after places that never existed, such as Lower Oshiwara and Lower Malad.
Some names, like Valnai, which locals know as Mith Chowky, were not commonly used. Line 7 stations like Ovaripada and Devipada were named after lesser-known areas.
Share
Tweet
