In a move to shed remnants of British colonial rule and celebrate India’s military valour, the Indian Army has renamed 246 roads, buildings, colonies, and other facilities across its establishments nationwide. The initiative aims to replace colonial-era nomenclature with names that honour India’s gallantry awardees, war heroes and distinguished military leaders, while fostering pride in national heritage and service values, officials said.
The renaming exercise encompasses a diverse array of infrastructure: 124 roads, 77 residential colonies, 27 buildings and military facilities, and 18 miscellaneous sites including parks, training areas, sports grounds, gates, and helipads.
Army officials described the changes as part of an ongoing review to shed British influences on military culture and traditions, reinforcing values of courage, sacrifice, and leadership.
One of the most notable institutions to be renamed is Fort William in Kolkata, the headquarters of the Eastern Command of Indian Army. Originally named after King William III, it will be called Vijay Durg. In Delhi Cantonment, Kirby Place, an officers’ accommodation, has been rechristened Kenuguruse Vihar, honouring Naik Digendra Kumar who earned the Mahavir Chakra. Mall Road in Delhi now bears the name Arun Khetrapal Marg, after Second Lieutenant Arun Khetarpal, a Param Vir Chakra awardee killed in the 1971 Indo-Pak War.
In a significant step towards discontinuing colonial legacy and strengthening an institutional identity rooted in India’s own history and ethos, the Indian Army has undertaken the renaming of 246 roads, buildings and other facilities across its establishments. The initiative aims… pic.twitter.com/o0r9x9isOw
— ANI (@ANI) February 5, 2026
In Ambala Cantonment, Patterson Road Quarters is now Dhan Singh Thapa Enclave, named for Major Dhan Singh Thapa, another Param Vir Chakra hero from the 1962 Sino-Indian War. In Mathura Cantonment, New Horn Line has become Abdul Hamid Lines, honouring Company Quartermaster Havildar Abdul Hamid, a Param Vir Chakra recipient from the 1965 Indo-Pak War.
In Jaipur Cantonment, Queens Line Road is now Sundar Singh Marg, named after Naik Sundar Singh, a posthumous gallantry awardee. Bareilly Cantonment’s New Birdwood Line has been rechristened Thimayya Colony, in tribute to General K.S. Thimayya, a former Chief of Army Staff. At Mhow Cantonment, Malcolm Lines is now Piru Singh Lines, commemorating Company Havildar Major Piru Singh, who earned the Param Vir Chakra during the 1948 Kashmir operations.
In Dehradun at the Indian Military Academy, Colins Block has been renamed Nubra Block, referencing the Nubra Valley as a site of key military operations, while Kingsway Block is now Kargil Block, commemorating the 1999 Kargil War. At Rangapahar Military Station in Nagaland, the Sports Complex is now the Laishram Jyotin Singh Sports Complex, honouring Major Laishram Jyotin Singh, an Ashok Chakra recipient for his 2010 anti-terror operation. And in Zakhama Military Station in Nagaland, Spear Lake Marg has become Hangpan Dada Marg, in memory of Havildar Hangpan Dada, who received the Ashok Chakra for his 2016 anti-insurgency efforts.
The army had announced the renaming exercise after Prime Minister Narendra Modi made a call for severing colonial customs in the armed forces in March 2021 during the Combined Commanders’ Conference at Kevadia in Gujarat. He had asked the three services to rid themselves of legacy practices that are no longer relevant.
