The BBMP has decided to rename Sangam Circle after the Indian cricket captain for his contribution to India’s victory in the World Cup.
It has been almost a year since the BBMP announced that a road in the city would be named after Dhoni for his outstanding performance in India’s triumph in the ICC World Cup, the BBMP has finally decided to rename Sangam Circle in Jayanagar 8th Block after the Indian cricket captain.
After India’s win, the then chief minister B S Yeddyurappa had announced a 50ft x 80ft site for each member of the team. That announcement received plenty of criticism forcing him to withdraw the offer, but he then announced that a road in the city would be named after Dhoni. Several roads were identified including 80 Feet Link Road which connects Basavangudi and Banashankari to Silk Board Road and 45th Cross Road in Jayanagar 9th Block. But the naming process hit a snag. According to officials, all roads cannot be named after personalities as there are procedures to be followed. The last council of the erstwhile Bangalore Mahanagara Palike had decided not to rename any road after personalities. Although it’s the council which decides on the name, it still has to be approved by the state government.
Speaking to a Leading Newspaper, former mayor S K Nataraj said, “We all know that Dhoni is a very good player and his contribution to Indian cricket is immense. We were searching for a suitable street or a circle to be named after the Indian cricket captain. Sangam Circle has now been finalised. It got the name Sangam because there is a hotel near the circle by that name. It is the most suitable to be renamed.”
Sangam Circle is convenient also because the BBMP does not have to get the approval of the state government as it has not been named after any person.
A circle on MG Road was named after Kumble after the spinner’s 10-wicket haul against Pakistan at the Ferozeshah Kotla stadium in 1999. Last year, The Puttenahalli underpass was named after another legendary cricketer — G R Vishwanath.
The BBMP is also planing to name an infrastructure project after Rahul Dravid, who recently retired from all forms of cricket.
After The Anil Kumble Circle and Gundappa R Vishwanath Underpass, the city will soon have a Mahendra Singh Dhoni Circle and Jayanagar will get a new Landmark and one with many fans.
