Mumbai's Gamdevi, home to historical landmarks like Mani Bhavan, has a prominent road named Laburnum Road. Was it named so after a British officer who held influence in the area? Fortunately for visitors to a place which served as Mahatma Gandhi's residence, the civic body will soon be putting up etymologies of road names, to explain to people the hidden meanings behind these names. Laburnum Road, for instance, was named so because of the presence of several Laburnum trees that once lined up both sides.
The BMC's 'Mumbai Street Badges' initiative, in association with an NGO, will start with a pilot project focussing on D-Ward (Malabar Hill to Napean Sea Road).
"The Britishers planted many Laburnum trees (yellow flower tree) across this road, and so the named come from that. Now the road doesn't have any, but the name remains. Likewise, there is a history for the other roads as well," said Vishwas Mote, assistant municipal commissioner of D ward.
The idea behind informing citizens of their meanings was conceptualised by the Khaki Heritage Foundation. "There is a book on street names and history, but very few go to the library to access it. There should be easy access to this information. Giving information on the road itself will help citizens know about where they are," said Bharat Gothoskar, from the foundation.
The initiative will start with roads near the August Kranti Maidan area. "Each road already has a nameplate. We will install another plate of the same size beside it, which will give out information about the name. We chose some roads for the pilot project, but will replicate it throughout the ward soon," Mote said.
Other roads that will benefit from this drive are Vaccha Gandhi Marg, Cirrus Avenue, Hughes Road (now called NS Patkar Marg), Pedder Road (now Dr Gopalrao Deshmukh Marg), Alexandra Road (Kashibai Navrange Marg) etc.
Vaccha Gandhi Marg, for instance, was named after the Modi Sorabji Vacchagandhi Agiary located on the road. The agiary was built by descendants of Seth Modi Hirji Vaccha who built the first tower of silence at Malabar hill in 1672. Pedder Road, on the other hand, was named after MG Pedder, municipal commissioner during 1879. The initiative will formally be inaugurated on February 28.
