A fortnight before Chennai would blow 378 candles on its birthday cake and heritage enthusiasts would draw attention to aspects of Madras that have survived time and change, the Greater Chennai Corporation has launched an exercise that has almost always received polar reactions. It’s going to usher in the age-old debate: “To rename or not”. Recently, the Corporation announced a decision to rename streets after famous institutions located on them.
Many residents’ immediate response to this announcement was: “Why?”
D. Karthikeyan, Commissioner of Greater Chennai Corporation, has an answer to that and he shares it with The Hindu Downtown.
From time to time, streets and roads in the city have been renamed and every time this happens, there has been a debate. Can you explain why roads and streets have to be renamed at all?
* The question of renaming streets and roads arises when residents and institutions that have served the city variously for many decades see a need for it and also make a compelling case for it. Obviously, the renaming exercise is not a process that is carried out continually. It is a need-based process.
Whenever there is a demand for renaming, it is examined before a decision is taken.
Have residents or institutions made such a request, prompting the civic body to start a renaming exercise now?
*Yes. For example, we received a request from the Secretary of the Tamil Nadu Public Services Commission (TNPSC) to rename Frazer Bridge Road in George Town as TNPSC Road as its office is located there. The reason that was given is that this name would help applicants from rural areas easily locate the TNPSC office. Similarly, the renaming of Montieth Road in Egmore as Red Cross Road was carried out in public interest. The Society has served the residents of this city for decades.
Can individuals, residents’ welfare associations and neighbourhood-centric organisations send in such requests? Or, do entities have to meet any criteria to send in such requests?
* There are no such conditions. Anyone — that includes residents, associations and institutions in the city — can send in such requests to the Greater Chennai Corporation. The requests will be judged on the basis of their validity.
Is there a competent authority to approve such renaming exercises? Is there a time frame within which the renaming has to be done, with the date of request as the stating point?
* The State government is the competent authority to approve renaming exercises. The Corporation forwards the renaming requests it receives, to the State government. Once the request gets the nod, the civic body starts the renaming process. Also, there is no time frame for approvals. Similarly, there is no expert committee to handle such requests. With inputs from the Corporation, the State government takes a decision.
How many roads/streets are found within the Greater Chennai Corporation limits?
* At present, the civic body has more than 30,000 streets/roads in all its 15 zones, covering 200 wards. Of these, around 100 streets/roads have names of historical figures, including those from the British era. Most of these streets are located in the core areas of Chennai.
As you know, Chennai has a rich past with many British and Indian administrators having contributed to its growth. Won’t such renaming exercises negate their contributions to the city’s growth — roads and streets were named after them, recognising their contributions?
* The Corporation is well aware of the city’s rich heritage. In fact, many streets including Arcot (Ramaswamy Mudaliyar) Road and G.N. Chetty Road (between them, they were Corporation Commissioners between 1926 and 1930, and were called President then) and neighbourhoods like Pulla Avenue in Shenoy Nagar (named after then Commissioner Pulla Reddy) have been named after city mayors and commissioners of the civic body in British India. While launching into a renaming exercise, all such aspects will be taken into consideration.
For the common man, the renaming exercise poses a huge challenge especially in terms of communication. The address has to be changed in several public documents, which include ration, Aadhaar, electricity and PAN cards. How will the Corporation address such issues?
* We are aware of such challenges. Proper communication is sent to the Postal Department and other government agencies. Residents are also communicated through local civic officials and media.
In fact, once the renaming exercise gets its nod and is executed, residents are roped in through neighbourhood welfare associations to create awareness about the change.
With the Foundation Day for Madras falling on August 22, this month is considered a heritage month, does the Corporation have any plans to celebrate the Foundation Day?
* Not this year. Because, the initial phase of Chennai Metro Rail opposite Ripon Buildings is expected to be completed by the end of this year. Only after its completion will the restoration of Victoria Hall be taken up. We are planning to organise a series of events, including a heritage walk between Ripon Buildings and Victoria Hall, photo exhibitions and a heritage talk, to mark the Foundation Day of the city next year (2018).