Archive · 12 Sep 2026
Bengal Forms Road-Renaming Committee Led by Kartik Maharaj
The West Bengal government has created a group to study the names of roads and other public places.
Kartik Maharaj will lead the group.
Government departments, local councils and district offices can send naming ideas to it.
The group can consider both new names and changes to old names.
It will study history, culture, heritage and the importance of each proposed name.
It will also check whether names are confusing, duplicated or difficult for people to identify.
Historians, experts and local organisations may be asked for advice.
The committee may first study roads in Kolkata and later consider roads in other districts.
Its recommendations will be sent to the appropriate authorities, and Kartik Maharaj said proposals could go to the state Assembly for clearance.
The West Bengal government formed a committee headed by Padma Shri awardee Kartik Maharaj to examine road and public-place naming proposals.
The 10-member panel includes Tathagata Roy, Subrata Gupta and senior officials from several state departments and civic bodies.
It will consider proposals involving roads, streets, avenues, bridges and other public assets from authorised institutions.
The committee will assess historical, cultural, social, heritage and public significance, along with duplication, convenience and geographical clarity.
It may review names including Biswa Bangla Sarani and Ho Chi Minh Sarani, while considering restoration of traditional names supported by records.
- Who
- The West Bengal government and a 10-member committee chaired by Kartik Maharaj, including Tathagata Roy, Subrata Gupta and government and civic officials.
- What
- A committee was formally constituted to examine proposals for naming or renaming roads, streets, bridges, public places and other public assets.
- When
- Friday; the committee is expected to begin formal meetings after the Pujas and may meet weekly.
- Where
- West Bengal, beginning with some roads in Kolkata and later extending to district areas.
- Why
- To evaluate proposed names for historical, cultural, social, heritage and public significance, while considering convenience, continuity and documented traditional names.
Renaming Advocates
Pluralism and Historical Caution
Basis for changing names
Renaming Advocates
Kartik Maharaj said the committee would consider connections to Bengali culture and West Bengal and examine whether names reflect historical and cultural significance.
Pluralism and Historical Caution
The report notes that Kolkata's roads and neighbourhoods bear Muslim, Christian and Hindu names within a syncretic culture, so changes could affect an existing tradition of shared civic history.
Historical figures and evidence
Renaming Advocates
Supporters of review cited the restoration of historical or traditional names and consideration of distinguished personalities, historical events and cultural heritage.
Pluralism and Historical Caution
The order requires relevant records, archival material and historical evidence; the report also highlighted a dispute in which Suvendu Adhikari appeared to confuse scholar Hassan Suhrawardy with Huseyn Shaheed Suhrawardy.
Examples of proposed changes
Renaming Advocates
Kartik Maharaj identified Biswa Bangla Sarani and Ho Chi Minh Sarani as names not connected, in his view, to Bengal's culture or history.
Pluralism and Historical Caution
The report records that earlier name changes, including Suhrawardy Avenue to Gopal Mukherjee Road, have drawn political support, while emphasizing that Kolkata has historically included names from different communities.
- Committee chairperson
- Kartik Maharaj of the Bharat Sevashram Sangha
- Committee size
- 10 members
- Named members
- Tathagata Roy and Subrata Gupta, along with officials from state departments and civic bodies
- Proposals covered
- Naming or renaming roads, streets, avenues, bridges, public places and other public assets
- Assessment criteria
- Historical, cultural, social, heritage and public significance; suitability; duplication; similarity; public convenience; geographical identification and continuity
- Potential initial focus
- Some roads in Kolkata, followed by roads in the districts
- Example under consideration
- Biswa Bangla Sarani and Ho Chi Minh Sarani were cited by Kartik Maharaj as names received for consideration
- Committee duration
- It will remain in force for a period determined by the state government and may be modified or reconstituted
