It will then be known as ‘Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus’ and ‘Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport’.
A Cabinet decision in this regard was taken on Thursday. “It will now need approval of the state legislature. Following this, it will be forwarded to the Railways and Civil Aviation ministries at the Centre for the final decision,” an official in the Chief Minister’s office told PTI.
At present, Mumbai Airport is known as ‘Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport’ and the railway terminus in South Mumbai as ‘Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus’. The sprawling railway terminus, a marvellous structure and UNESCO World Heritage Site, is also the headquarters of the Central Railways.
The station was built in 1887 in Bori Bunder area of Bombay (now Mumbai) to commemorate the Golden Jubilee of Queen Victoria. It is one of the busiest stations in India serving as a terminus for both long-distance as well as commuter services trains of the Mumbai Suburban Railway.
Known for over a century as Victoria Terminus, the facility was renamed after Shivaji by the Union government in 1996, months after Bombay was renamed as Mumbai. The Sahar airport in the Western suburbs was renamed as Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport in 1999. Later, domestic airport at Vile Parle also came to be known as Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport.
According to observers, one of the reasons that prompted the government to insert ‘Maharaj’ could be the upcoming civic polls in Mumbai and other parts of the state, and, also the ongoing campaign by the Maratha community for quota in jobs and eduction, for whom ‘Shivaji Maharaj’ is the most revered icon and enduring source of inspiration.
The BJP has emerged the biggest gainer in the first phase of municipal council and Nagar Panchayat polls held recently. The remaining three phases will be completed soon. Also, 10 municipal corporations including Mumbai and 26 zila parishads 296 panchayat samitis will go to polls in February 2017.
The Speaker then said that malnutrition issue cannot be taken up for debate and reiterated that he invited Rawat to his chamber but he did turn up for a meeting on the issue. However, Rawat continued to press for an adjournment motion on the issue. He was joined by the acting Leader of the Opposition Bala Bachchan. Rawat alleged that the Chair was doing the work of the government. Thereafter, the Congress members walked out of the House. Outside the House, Rawat claimed, “10,000 children below six years have died in the state between July and October this year, which accounts for 80 kids deaths per day.”
“This has brought disgrace to MP nationally and internationally,” he said, adding that when their demand for debate was not accepted, they staged a walkout. Bachchan said the government is shying off from the debate as it wants to avoid criticism. “We want the government tosave the children,” he added.