Nana Patekar or Smit Machchhar? Mumbai's new bridge gets caught in naming row
A naming dispute has emerged in Mumbai over a new bridge, with political factions debating whether to honor actor Nana Patekar or pilot Captain Smit Machchhar. The bridge is a significant infrastructure project connecting Vidyavihar to Ghatkopar.
Why it matters
It illustrates how local infrastructure projects often become flashpoints for political posturing and cultural identity in urban India.
MUMBAI: A naming row has erupted over Mumbai's newly constructed East-West Vidyavihar bridge ahead of its opening to traffic, with Shiv Sena (UBT) demanding that the structure be named after actor Nana Patekar, while BJP MLA Parag Shah has proposed naming it after Captain Smit Machchhar, the Indian commercial pilot hailed for thwarting a mid-air hijacking.The Shiv Sena (UBT) recently put up a banner on the bridge demanding that it be named 'Padma Shri Nana Patekar Setu', days after Shah approached the authorities with a request to name it after Captain Machchhar.Machchhar was hailed globally as a hero after thwarting a violent mid-air hijacking of a Tel Aviv-bound flydubai flight.Earlier this week, a delegation of Sena (UBT) leaders met Mumbai Mayor Ritu Tawde and submitted a letter demanding that the bridge be named after Patekar.Tawde could not be reached for comment despite repeated attempts.
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