Why a road`s name is changed: History, process and growing demand

The ‘Ghatiya Azam Khan Road’ in Agra was on Sunday formally renamed ‘Shri Ashok Singhal Marg’, after former Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) leader Ashok Singhal.

Agra mayor Naveen Jain, who was the chief guest at the occasion, said, "It is part of the process to change the names of places that are reminiscent of periods of slavery and it will continue."

Earlier on November 26, Agra’s Mughal Road was rechristened as Maharaja Agrasen Marg.

But what is the process of name change of a road?

The request of changing the name of a road can be done through the municipal council responsible for the making and maintenance of any respective road. Any government agency that want the name change would place a request to the council which will eventually take the decision in a meeting.

The municipal council keeps getting request for name change on eminent personalities, national heroes and people who have achieved extraordinary feats. However, the new name shouldn’t have any adverse effect on permanent fixtures like post office and other historical landmarks.

This isn’t a new phenomenon as many big Indian cities like Kolkata and Mumbai have seen a name change. Then there are cities like Cochin and Bangalore that saw a name change in Kochi and Bengaluru.

The names of many roads constructed during the British Raj were also changed post Independence.

Historically speaking, some of the popular roads in Delhi such as Hasting Road and Wellesely Road were changed to Krishna Menon Marg and Dr Zakir Hussain Marg.