Nalasopara renaming proposal: The Vasai-Virar City Municipal Corporation will examine the legal process for seeking the names “Shurparak Nagari” for Nalasopara and possibly for the municipal corporation itself, following a discussion at its recent general-body meeting. A proposal is expected to be sent to the Maharashtra government and the Centre after the relevant procedures are reviewed.
The discussion focused on preserving the historical heritage of the Vasai-Virar region and developing memorials and other public structures. During the meeting, a demand was made to rename Nalasopara as Shurparak Nagari, a historical name associated with the settlement. Mayor Ajiv Patil said the civic administration was positively inclined towards examining the proposal.
Patil also said that the possibility of renaming the Vasai-Virar City Municipal Corporation as Shurparak was being considered. According to the report, legal aspects of the proposed change are currently being checked. The mayor referred to an earlier discussion on the issue during the tenure of a former state secretary identified in the report as Gaikwad.
The demand was also extended to Nalasopara railway station. Opposition leader Manoj Patil called for a proposal to rename the station as Shurparak Nagari to be prepared and submitted to the state and central governments. He had previously raised the naming issue with the chief minister and the Union government, according to the report.
Supporters of the proposal have linked it to the region’s historical and religious heritage. The report describes Shurparak, identified with present-day Nalasopara, as an ancient settlement that was associated with the Konkan region and a major port in western India. It also refers to a Buddhist stupa in Nalasopara dating back approximately 2,500 years and says the settlement has a history extending over several millennia.
Manoj Patil said that many people across India search for Shurparak Nagari but find little on the ground beyond the name of Nalasopara railway station. He argued that a change in official naming could support the preservation and recognition of the area’s historical legacy. These statements were made during the municipal discussion and do not represent a completed renaming decision.
The general body also discussed the construction of memorials and public structures honouring Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, Dr B R Ambedkar and other prominent figures. A proposal was additionally raised for large memorials and statues dedicated to Chimaji Appa in Virar and Nalasopara.
The reported next step is the preparation and examination of the legal process before proposals are forwarded to the Maharashtra government and the Centre. Any final change to the names of the city, municipal corporation or railway station would require approval from the competent authorities.
