Eight Railway stations renamed, in Lucknow division, politics erupts
The Northern Railways has announced the renaming of eight railway stations in Uttar Pradesh, specifically within the Lucknow division. This change, approved by the relevant authorities, reflects a commitment to preserving cultural identity and heritage.
The renamed stations are as follows:
- Kasimpur Halt is now Jais City
- Jais has been renamed to Guru Gorakhnath Dham
- Misrauli is now Maa Kalikan Dham
- Bani has been renamed to Swami Paramhans
- Nihalgarh is now Maharaja Bijli Pasi
- Akbarganj has been renamed to Maa Ahorva Bhawani Dham
- Wazirganj Halt is now Amar Shaheed Bhale Sultan
- Fursatganj has been renamed to Tapeshwarnath Dham
Despite the name changes, the numerical codes for these stations, as listed in the "Alphabetical List of Railway Stations in India" issued by the IRCA in New Delhi, will remain unchanged. The Secretary-General/IRCA New Delhi will issue any necessary corrections to accommodate these modifications.
In response to the renaming, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav has urged the BJP government to address the conditions of the railway stations, not just their names. He emphasized the need for improved infrastructure and safety measures in a post shared on X, stating that attention should also be given to preventing railway accidents.
The renaming follows a request by former Amethi MP Smriti Irani to honor cultural and historical significance. Irani announced the changes on social media in March, highlighting the importance of preserving local heritage.
The Competent Authority has accorded its approval for the change in names of 8 stations in Lucknow Division of Northern Railway.