MP govt urges central govt to rename Habibganj railway station in Bhopal after tribal queen Rani Kamlapati

Bhopal, Nov 13: The Madhya Pradesh government has urged the central government that the renovated Habibganj railway station in Bhopal be renamed after the 18th-century tribal queen Rani Kamlapati. The state government, in a letter, addressed to the Union Home Minister came ahead of the launch of India’s first world-class railway station.

 

The letter highlighted the state government’s reason behind the proposal to rename the Habibganj railway station. It said that the renaming of the railway station will honour Rani Kamlapati’s legacy and bravery.

 

 

Notably, Rani Kamlapati was the widowed Gond ruler of Ginnorgarh’s lord, Nizam Shah. She was a protector of the state when her husband died. With a population of over 1.2 crores, the Gond community is India’s largest tribal group. The Gonds are members of the Gondi–Manda subgroup of the Dravidian language family’s South Central branch.

 

Therefore, renaming the station will also be in accordance with the Indian government’s decision to celebrate the legacy of Scheduled Tribes in India, read the letter from the state’s transportation department. It also comes at a time with the Indian government’s decision to celebrate November 15 as ‘Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas’ in remembrance of Birsa Munda, added the letter.

 

 

The central government has decided to commemorate revered tribal leader and independence fighter Birsa Munda on November 15 as ‘Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas.’ November 15 marks the birth anniversary date of Birsa Munda who is considered a God by tribal communities across India. The station, which was revamped at a cost of 100 crores, will be inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on November 15, the day the government opens the ‘Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas,’ a week-long celebration of the Scheduled Tribes’ pride in India.

 

On the other hand, Habibganj Railway Station has been redeveloped under the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model at a cost of Rs 100 crore. The station will showcase Madhya Pradesh’s tourism and culture at its main entrance, waiting rooms, VIP lounge and air concourse. It will feature glimpses of heritage sites such as Sanchi Stupa, Bhojpur Temples, Bhim Baithika, Birla Mandir, Tawa Dam, Tribal Museum among others.