Renaming binge back with a vengeance

Renaming binge back with a vengeance
Deccan Herald

Driving through Bhagwan Mahaveera Jain Road, you’ve a choice. Either head for Ferdinand Kittel Circle or go round-about to 'Minugutare Kalpana' circle. If you wonder how this tip is going to help you find your way in City, reach for the BMP’s long list of renamed roads, circle and parks.


Driving through Bhagwan Mahaveera Jain Road, you’ve a choice. Either head for Ferdinand Kittel Circle or go round-about to 'Minugutare Kalpana' circle. If you wonder how this tip is going to help you find your way in City, reach for the BMP’s long list of renamed roads, circle and parks.

The renaming binge continues to haunt the streets, parks or playgrounds in the City. This, despite the GO issued in 2004 which set strict guidelines to curb renamings. But the councillors are unrelenting. And the count for the past two months: 12 naming ceremonies and one renaming of a layout.

If the councillors had their way, the OTC (Old Taluk Cacheri) road would be Nyaya Marga, Jayanagar I to III block would be Swimming Pool extension or Seppings Road would get displaced by a name with a dash of religion: Muthyalamma temple road.


According to BMP’s revenue department officials, a good number of renaming proposals continue to pour in and are forwarded to the government by the officials after verification.

“The renaming spree has seen a lull after the guidelines of 2004, following a Council resolution,” say senior BMP officials.

As per the 2004 norms, only main roads or circles can be named for the first time, while crossroads (bylanes) do not qualify for a name as they are to be identified by the locality name followed by a serial number.

The names can be those of stalwarts in art, literature, education, social service, sports, history, etc. Similarly, the parks/playgrounds can be named after great personalities who have contributed to the nation or society. While, naming anything after a living person is not entertained, replacing an old name is subject to verification by the revenue department and govt approval.

“Any renaming proposal is to be tabled in the Council. This will be subject to a mahazar in the locality concerned. The people can file objections, if any, within 30 days. The same will be placed before the Council for a resolution. But renaming proposals will be sent straight for government approval,” says Ushadevi K C, DC (Revenue). The slew of naming ceremonies at the fag-end of the Council’s term is not only raising many brows, but stirring an old debate - of choosing between history and political whim. However, the only proposal approved by the government recently is that of Shankara Park layout, which has been rechristened Chandrashekhara Bharati layout.

“Renaming is not acceptable as it severs the past links of the City. It also belittles the person after whom the street/park was named. We need to preserve the City’s identity rather than churn out fancy names,” says former mayor P R Ramesh.