Grandson moves HC to get Matheran station renamed

The state government,the Ministry of Railways and even the Survey of India had earlier given the green signal for renaming the Matheran railway station after Adamjee Peerbhoy but the Ministry of Home Affairs has rejected the proposal.

Aggrieved,Peerbhoy’s grandson Ali Akbar filed a writ against the ministry in January.

In a letter dated July 17,2007,the then principal secretary (transport) to the Govt of Maharashtra had written to the Ministry of Railways recommending the name change.

“This railway line has acquired a heritage status and is a showpiece for India’s history. In addition to the personal achievements of Sir Adamjee Peebhoy,his family also made significant contribution to nation building as well as the freedom struggle,” the letter said.

The proposal was sent to the Ministry of Home Affairs,New Delhi,by a letter dated August 18,2007.

In its letter dated April 11,2008,the Survey of India submitted a ‘no objection’ to Ministry of Home Affairs. On April 30,2008,the Ministry of Science and Technology stated they had no objection to the renaming.

On December 15,2008,Ali Akbar Peerbhoy received a letter from the Ministry of Home Affairs that the state government had sought approval from the Central government,but the latter was not accepting the proposal and that it was therefore rejected on April 10,2008.

Claiming the ministry had misled the state government,Ali Akbar says: “It is surprising that according to the Home Ministry,the Government of Maharshtra was already informed about the turning down of the proposal on April 10,2008,although the Survey of India and the Ministry of Science and Technology had given their no-objection later.”