In a significant step toward removing vestiges of the colonial era, the Indian Army has undertaken an extensive renaming exercise across its establishments, assigning names of Indian war heroes to 246 roads, buildings and key facilities. Officials said the initiative aims to replace colonial-era nomenclature with titles that reflect India’s own military heritage and honour recipients of gallantry awards, wartime legends and distinguished leaders of the armed forces.
According to the Army, the renaming covers 124 roads, 77 residential colonies, 27 buildings and military facilities, along with 18 installations such as parks, training areas, sports grounds, helipads and gates.
In the Delhi Cantonment area, several prominent roads have been assigned new identities. Kirby Place has been renamed Kenuguruse Vihar, while Mall Road is now Arun Khetrapal Marg. Other changes include Tigris Road becoming Hoshiar Singh Marg, Cassel Road renamed Manekshaw Marg, Maude Road redesignated Thimayya Marg, Lorry Road changed to Ramawamy Parmeshwaran Marg, Gymnasium Road renamed Padmapani Acharya Marg, Kotwali Road now Capt Anuj Nayyar Road, and Probyn Road retitled Shaitan Singh Marg. Multiple residential colonies within Delhi Cantt have also been renamed.
Baird Place is now Anuj Nayyar Vihar, Tubrak Link has been redesignated Gurdiyal Vihar, Kingsway Camp is now Joginder Singh Vihar, Nicholson Line becomes Digendra Kumar Vihar, Khyber Line is renamed Abdul Hamid Vihar, and Poultry Farm has been retitled Ram Chander Vihar. The Army has said the move reflects a broader effort to foreground indigenous military history and commemorate national heroes whose valour has shaped India’s defence legacy.
