Pune Station Renaming: BJP's Medha Kulkarni Advocates for Shrimant Thorle Bajirao Peshwa

Medha Kulkarni, a prominent member of the Bhartiya Janta Party and Rajya Sabha representative from Maharashtra, has issued a call to rename Pune Station in honor of Shrimant Thorle Bajirao Peshwa, the 7th Peshwa of the Maratha Empire. She expressed sharp criticism of Pune's inadequate railway infrastructure, emphasizing the urgent need for improvements to align with the city's prominent status as a hub for education and technology.

In a media interaction, Kulkarni outlined her demands, stating, "There are significant demands regarding the Pune railway station. Despite Pune's reputation as an educational and IT center, the current station condition is deplorable and needs enhancement." She also noted the connectivity issues with major cities such as Nasik and Badlapur, suggesting, "The Rajdhani Express and other major routes like the Delhi to Hyderabad Express or the Bengaluru to Delhi Express should include Pune in their itineraries."

Highlighting the urgency for improved connectivity, especially with the approaching Kumbh Mela in Nasik, Kulkarni remarked, "Connectivity to cities like Nasik and Badlapur is lacking. With the upcoming Kumbh Mela in Nasik, there's no train linking Pune to Nasik." The event, expected to attract millions, underscores the urgent need for better transportation networks.

Aligning with broader political shifts, Kulkarni's proposal to rename Pune Station dovetails with the BJP-led government's ongoing agenda to rename various railway stations and cities across India. She stated, "Pune Station should be named after Shrimant Thorle Bajirao Peshwa, a warrior who never lost a battle. Such a great figure deserves this honor." The movement follows similar changes, like the renaming of Allahabad to Prayagraj and Mughalsarai Station to Deen Dayal Upadhyay Junction. (ANI)

(With inputs from agencies.)