Mumbai, Oct 18 (NationPress) The Maharashtra government has released a gazette notification to change the name of Aurangabad railway station to Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar station.

The decision comes two years after the city of Aurangabad was officially renamed to Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar. This move aligns with the preparations of both the ruling MahaYuti and the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi for upcoming local and civic body elections.

The BJP-led MahaYuti government issued the gazette notification on October 15 to facilitate this renaming process, which was initially set in motion by the Shiv Sena-led Maha Vikas Aghadi government.

The name Aurangabad has historical ties to Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb, and the change honors Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s son, Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj.

Opened in 1900, Aurangabad railway station was established under the 7th Nizam of Hyderabad, Mir Osman Ali Khan. It is situated on the Kacheguda–Manmad section, primarily serving the city now known as Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar. This station is part of the Nanded division within the South Central Railway zone and connects to major cities across the nation.

Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar is a popular tourist destination, surrounded by numerous historical sites, such as the UNESCO World Heritage Sites Ajanta Caves and Ellora Caves. Known as the City of Gates, each gate carries a rich local history from the Mughal period, along with two ASI-protected monuments, Bibi ka Maqbara and the Aurangabad caves.

The push for renaming Aurangabad began in the late 1980s following a communal riot in 1988 that resulted in over 25 fatalities. The Shiv Sena gained control of the municipal corporation in the subsequent elections.

On May 8, 1988, Bal Thackeray proposed renaming the city to ‘Sambhaji Nagar,’ which was officially passed in a resolution by the municipal corporation in 1995. Subsequently, the Shiv Sena government sought public feedback on the proposal.

On September 16, 2023, the Eknath Shinde-led government formally announced the renaming of Aurangabad district to Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, following a special cabinet meeting.

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis recently declared that Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar is set to become the nation’s Electric Vehicle (EV) capital, emphasizing its appeal as an investment hub.

He noted that the city is increasingly attractive for investments, as evidenced by Hyundai's recent commitments, showcasing a trend where companies prefer locations like Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar.