The Maharashtra cabinet on Wednesday approved the proposal to rename Ahmednagar to Ahilyanagar after the 18th century Maratha queen Ahilyabai Holkar. The Maharashtra government also renamed Velha Tehsil, which was the first capital of the Maratha Empire under the Maratha warrior king Shivaji in Pune district to Rajgad.
“The government has decided to name Ahmednagar district after Punyashlok Ahilya Devi Holkar. Our government is fortunate to have taken this decision. Ahilya Devi’s work was as big as the Himalayas. Giving her name will increase the honour of this district,” Shinde had said.
According to the government, many people’s groups, citizens and representatives have been pushing to change the name of the city of Ahmednagar. Along with the multiple demands, the state government had received the resolution passed by the Ahmednagar Municipal Corporation.
“Accordingly, it has been proposed to rename it as per the revised guidelines of the Ministry of Home Affairs and after getting the approval of the Centre. The process of renaming Ahmednagar district, taluka and Municipal Corporation will be done by the Revenue and Urban Development Department,” the official said.
Meanwhile, the state government also took a decision to change the colonial names of eight railway stations in Mumbai. “The proposal will be sent to the Union Ministry of Home Affairs and Railways with the approval of the Legislature,” the official said.
Here are the names of the stations whose names have been changed
- Cotton Green- Kalachowki
- Charni Road- Girgaon
- Dockyard Road- Mazgaon
- King Circle- Tirthakar Parshivnath
- Curry Road- Lalbaug
- Sandhurst Road- Dongri
- Marine Lines- Mumbadevi
Once this proposal is approved, it will be sent to the Union Home Ministry and Railway Ministry. Meanwhile, the state government has already sent to the Union government to change Mumbai Central Station’s name to Nana Jagannath Shankarsheth Station. Sandhurst Road station is being treated as two stations because it serves both Central and Harbour lines.
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