Bangalore is now officially Bengaluru

Bengaluru: One of India's most popular cities, Bangalore, will now be officially known as Bengaluru.

Apart from Bangalore, 11 other cities in Karnataka will have a new name beginning Saturday.

While the Karnataka government had proposed the move in 2006, the Central government cleared it only this month and a notification to this effect was issued last evening

The names of a total 12 cities and towns have been changed in consonance with their pronunciation in Kannada language.

The Karnataka government had taken the decision to rechristen these cities on the occasion of the golden jubilee of formation of the state of Karnataka on November 1, 2006.

The Centre's nod came after the Survey of India, ministry of railways, department of posts, ministry of science and technology and Intelligence Bureau gave their no objection and clearance for the change in the nomenclature of the identified cities.

Apart from Bangalore, the names of cities and towns which have been changed include Belgaum (Belagavi), Mangalore (Mangaluru), Bellary (Ballari), Bijapur (Vijayapura), Chikmagalur (Chikkamagaluru), Gulbarga (Kalburgi), Mysore (Mysuru), Hospet (Hosapete), Shimoga (Shivamogga), Hubli (Hubballi) and Tumkur (Tumakuru).

(With agency inputs)