A formal proposal has been initiated to rename the Mohibullapur Railway Station in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, to ‘Jankipuram.’ This move follows persistent requests from local residents and a formal push by a local legislator, who argue that the new name will provide better geographical clarity for commuters living in the expansive Jankipuram residential colony. While the proposal is currently in its initial stages, it marks another potential shift in the naming landscape of the Lucknow railway division.
Key updates regarding the proposal:
• Local authorities and residents have formally requested the name change to align with the nearby Jankipuram locality.
• The renaming process requires mandatory approvals from the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), Ministry of Railways, Department of Posts, and Survey of India.
• The station is simultaneously slated for a significant infrastructure upgrade, with plans to replace the existing British-era building with a modern facility.
The Official Renaming Process
According to established government guidelines, renaming a railway station is a multi-step administrative procedure. Once a state government submits a proposal, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) acts as the final approving authority. Before a name change is sanctioned, the MHA must secure ‘No Objection’ certificates from the Ministry of Railways, the Department of Posts, and the Survey of India. These checks ensure that the new name does not conflict with existing locations elsewhere in the country. Furthermore, the Ministry of Railways maintains a policy that station names should generally avoid religious connotations to maintain uniformity. Once the central approval is granted, the state government must issue a formal Gazette Notification to finalize the change.
Infrastructure Upgrades and Recent Trends
Beyond the name change debate, the station is set to witness a major facelift. The current British-era structure is scheduled for demolition and replacement, with a new, modern station building designed to handle increasing passenger footfall. This development comes on the heels of a broader trend in the region; in August 2024, eight other railway stations within the Lucknow division were officially renamed following a high-profile request. As the proposal for ‘Jankipuram’ moves through the bureaucratic pipeline, passengers and locals are keeping a close watch on both the administrative decision and the upcoming construction work at the site.