Aurangzeb Lane renamed after Abdul Kalam; NDMC nod in

In 2015, the name of the Aurangzeb Road was changed to Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Road by the council after then East Delhi MP Maheish Girri wrote to the Prime Minister and Delhi Chief Minister asking that “mistakes in history” be corrected. The lane connects what once used to be Arangzeb Road with Prithviraj Road.

“The main road adjoining the lane was called Aurangzeb Road earlier but was renamed to Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Road many years ago. There is a lane next to the road which is still named after Aurangzeb but NDMC has now decided to rename it,” NDMC vice-chairperson and BJP leader Satish Upadhyaya said.

Requests to change names of roads come to agencies that have jurisdiction over the space, in this case NDMC. Once the request is received, it is sent to the general administration department of NDMC. An agenda is laid before the NDMC that takes the decision.

The council has laid down criteria for entertaining such requests as per guidelines of Ministry of Home Affairs. According to the criteria, such requests should have historical relevance, respect sentiments and it must be felt that there is a need to recognise the personality whose name has to be given. If the resolution is passed, it is sent to the state road naming authority of urban development department of the Delhi government for approval.