Will Chennai Eliminate Caste Names from 3,400 Streets by November 19?
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Synopsis
Chennai is on the verge of a significant transformation as the Greater Chennai Corporation embarks on a mission to rename 3,400 streets with caste names. Following a government directive, the city aims to replace these names with more neutral titles. This initiative is not just a change of names but a step towards social unity and inclusivity.
Key Takeaways
- The Greater Chennai Corporation is renaming 3,400 caste-named streets.
- This initiative follows a Tamil Nadu government directive.
- Local councillors will facilitate public consensus in naming.
- New names will reflect leaders or flowers for social neutrality.
- The initiative aims to foster inclusivity and social unity.
Chennai, Oct 11 (NationPress) The Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) has initiated an extensive effort to eliminate caste-related names from approximately 3,400 streets throughout the city, substituting them with names of leaders, flowers, or other socially neutral designations. This move is in response to a Tamil Nadu government mandate that directs all local entities to identify and rename streets reflecting caste identities.
Superintending Engineer (Bus Route Roads) N. Thirumurugan stated that the GCC has requested the Revenue Department to verify and finalize the list of these roads based on official road registers. 'We aim to finalize the list by Monday,' he mentioned.
According to Deputy Mayor Mahesh Kumar, among the city's 35,000 roads and streets, around 3,400 are named after castes. 'In the core city areas, the majority of caste names were removed prior to 2011. The remaining stretches are mostly located in the newly added zones, previously municipalities. All these will be renamed before the November 19 deadline,' he added.
Upon finalization of the list, councillors will be instructed to hold area sabha meetings in their respective wards to determine new names by reaching a public consensus.
'The streets will be renamed according to the decisions made by local residents. We will be issuing a circular to all councillors shortly,' the Deputy Mayor added.
Officials clarified that the renaming process will adhere to a systematic approach: if a road name contains a caste surname, it will be abbreviated to an initial; if the entire name signifies a caste, it will be changed to that of a leader or a flower.
In instances where the caste name appears as a suffix, only that segment will be omitted. Chennai has already witnessed several such modifications in recent years.
For example, in T. Nagar, G.N. Chetty Road was transformed into Gopathy Narayana Road. In West Mambalam, streets like Srinivasa (I) Street, Balakrishna (N) Street, and Srinivasa (P) Street now feature initials instead of caste surnames.
Some of the roads slated for renaming include Gengu Reddy Road, Vanniyar Street, Reddy Street in Kodambakkam, Dr. Nair Road, Ramanuja Iyer Street in Washermenpet, Reddy Raman Street in Sowcarpet, and Brahmin Street in Saidapet.
Mahesh Kumar mentioned that the Corporation will soon issue tenders to install new 3D name boards with reflective lighting once the renaming process is concluded.
Point of View
It is essential to recognize that the Greater Chennai Corporation's decision to remove caste names from streets reflects a progressive shift towards inclusivity. While some may view this as erasing cultural identity, it is crucial to understand the broader implications for social unity and the potential for a more harmonious society.
NationPress
11/10/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main goal of the renaming initiative?
The primary goal is to remove caste-based names from streets and replace them with neutral names to promote social unity and inclusivity.
When is the deadline for renaming the streets?
The deadline for the renaming process is set for November 19.
How will new street names be chosen?
New street names will be determined through public consensus during area sabha meetings held by local councillors.
What criteria will be used for renaming streets?
If a road name has a caste surname, it will be shortened to an initial; if it denotes a caste entirely, it will be replaced with the name of a leader or a flower.
What types of streets are being renamed?
Streets that carry caste names, particularly in newly added zones, are being targeted for renaming.
