Pune: PMC Withdraws Rule Restricting Civic Asset Names to Eminent Citizens, Opens Door for Names of Corpoartors’ Relatives and Lesser-Known Individuals

Pune, 19th May 2026: The Pune Municipal Corporation has scrapped a 26-year-old resolution that restricted naming of civic infrastructure only after national leaders, eminent personalities and individuals who made notable contributions to society or the city.

The decision, taken during a meeting of leaders from ruling and opposition parties chaired by Mayor Manjusha Nagpure on May 5, removes the condition imposed through a general body resolution passed on July 24, 2000. The earlier resolution had stated that roads, gardens, bridges, buildings and public projects should only be named after nationally respected figures or persons with significant achievements in their respective fields.

With the restriction now removed, corporators will effectively have greater freedom to name public infrastructure after family members and relatives, a move critics say could encourage political glorification using public property funded by taxpayers.

The controversy recently surfaced after a proposal was moved to name a cancer hospital in Baner after late Prof Yashwantrao Bhimale, father of standing committee chairman Shrinath Bhimale. The proposal drew objections from alert citizens as well as some BJP leaders, temporarily stalling the issue.

Civic circles have seen growing discussions over alleged pressure from several corporators to name roads, squares and public structures after members of their own families. Critics have questioned the contribution of such individuals to the city and argued that public assets should honour personalities with genuine achievements and public service.

Former mayor Ankush Kakade opposed the decision to withdraw the 2000 resolution. “Major roads, bridges and public spaces should carry the names of distinguished personalities. That was the intent behind the resolution passed in 2000. If it has now been cancelled, the former mayors’ association will oppose it,” he said.

Leader of the House Ganesh Bidkar, however, defended the move, saying it was meant to allow recognition to lesser-known individuals who contributed to the city. “Even though the 2000 resolution has been withdrawn, corporators cannot arbitrarily name projects after family members. If anyone attempts that, I will oppose it,” he said.

During the administrator’s rule between March 2022 and February 2026, several civic projects were completed but no public structures were named after individuals. Following the return of the elected body and reconstitution of the naming committee after civic elections, proposals to name projects after corporators’ relatives have resurfaced.

As per the civic process, naming of roads, bridges, gardens, buildings and other public properties requires consent from corporators of the concerned ward. The proposal is first approved in a meeting of party leaders, followed by scrutiny by the naming committee and final approval by the general body before the name is officially assigned.